500.A15Franco–British/46: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy ( Fletcher )

[Paraphrase]

104. Telegram received from Houghton contains statement that, according to his advices, Italy has already notified British Foreign Office that Anglo-French agreement is not acceptable to them in its present form. Reference is, of course, to Anglo-French understanding on basis of agreement for naval limitation. Although I understand that text of agreement has nowhere been published in full, you undoubtedly know about it from the press. I am not authorized to speak for President in this matter, but for your own information I am sure that the United States would never agree to the limiting only of cruisers carrying 8-inch guns and leaving entirely unlimited all cruisers which carry less than 8-inch guns, which Great Britain now desires to build. That is to say, what the United States could do would be limited, and what Great Britain wishes to do would be left unlimited. I should like to have you discuss this matter informally with the Italian Foreign Office and ascertain if possible Italy’s attitude on it.

Kellogg