500.A15 a 1/414: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:24 p.m.]
162. My 158, July 9, 10 a.m. Chamberlain asked me to meet him last night at the House of Commons. He told me he had conferred with Baldwin, Balfour and Beatty60 yesterday morning and again late yesterday afternoon. Their reports from Geneva he said were not complete but he thought a reasonable hope of agreement still existed.
Chamberlain then went on to explain the differences as he saw them between the British and American demands and concluded by saying that there seemed to be almost insuperable difficulties in a three-power negotiation in getting an agreement on a ratio of total tonnage based on the theoretical needs of each. As an effort to surmount this difficulty his Government offered the following suggestion:
“Instead of endeavoring to fix maximum overhead tonnage for all time, based on theoretical needs and embracing far larger construction than any of powers now had in contemplation, solution should [Page 98] be sought on lines of an agreement as to total in each class beyond which each party would not go up to 1936, to wit, date of expiration of Washington treaty at which time whole subject must again be considered. If the United States Government approve this suggestion and will issue [instructions to] Mr. Gibson to seek solution on these lines British Government will send similar instructions to Mr. Bridgeman.”
[Paraphrase]
Chamberlain made certain significant statements during the conversation above-mentioned:
- (1)
- That the American delegates in the Conference had not yet stated that, owing to lack of naval stations, American ships needed a larger cruising radius, and that therefore 10,000-ton cruisers were necessary.
- (2)
- That if we were willing to limit our own total to twelve 10,000-ton cruisers during this period Great Britain, although she now has twelve such cruisers in addition to two building and one laid down, is willing to scrap those now being constructed and to limit herself to the same number as the United States.
- (3)
- That the British Government will ask a short adjournment of the Conference and order Bridgeman home for consultation if agreement cannot be reached along the lines suggested above.
- (4)
- That should you request it, Chamberlain is willing to meet you in Geneva in case of absolute need.
In transmitting the above I desire to offer no comment except that, in my opinion, the British Government will endeavor to reach a compromise since it is now keenly aware of the importance of public sentiment developing abroad and at home.
This telegram has been sent to Geneva for the information of our delegation.
- Admiral of the Fleet David Beatty, Earl Beatty of the North Sea and of Brooksby.↩