500.A15/949: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7—1:16 a.m.]
43. I have been questioned by all of the various representatives of the naval powers as to just what the next step will be in dealing [Page 106] with the method suggested by the American delegation. My reply has been that it seems apparent that the best thing for them to do would be to conduct studies of their own and that the various powers could then reach an agreement as to what course would be most conducive to the progress of naval disarmament. Stating that this was something beyond the scope of my immediate mission, I have refused to give any opinion as to what procedure they should follow. However it is my opinion that either before or after the completion of their studies the four other naval powers will undoubtedly approach the Department requesting more particulars concerning the studies being made by our Government. In order to emphasize the fact that my instructions concern only the work of the Preparatory Commission and do not affect in any way the future course which the Department may pursue, I have deemed it necessary to refrain from making any suggestions in the matter. Until some solution of the problem existing between the United States and Great Britain is reached, Italy, France, and Japan apparently recognize that as a practical matter no progress can be achieved, though a certain uneasiness that some definite settlement may be reached which would be prejudicial to their various positions is apparent in each of them. It seems particularly important that the Japanese be assured, from all I have learned, that Japan is being kept informed regarding any progress being made in the British-American conversations, in order that all fear may be removed from their minds of having a definite agreement between Great Britain and ourselves placed before them. I have been told quite frankly by my Japanese colleague that this is his Government’s greatest concern. It has been further stated by Sato that he considers it very important from the point of view of Japanese public opinion as a whole that a statement should be made from time to time that the Japanese Government is being consulted during the progress of the naval discussions between Great Britain and the United States. While I have encountered the greatest frankness and good will on the part of Sato, it has been quite apparent that both the Japanese Government and he are fearful that an impression may become current in Japan that their Government is not being consulted during the first steps of our discussions and for this reason I venture to emphasize particularly the importance of this point. Rather than that they should receive any material improvement in their ratio, their main preoccupation seems to be, so far as I can learn, that we permit them to save face with their own people. In view of past discussions, it should be borne in mind that the term “ratio” is particularly distasteful to the Japanese Government and so far as possible in the course of discussions it would be most desirable that it be avoided.
[Page 107]A separate problem exists in the relations between Italy and France. Their divergence of views was clearly manifest even in debates on land armaments. Concerning naval matters, the French delegation in various conversations with us have maintained that France’s greater need in protecting her overseas possessions makes it untenable for them to admit parity with Italy, whereas the Italians maintain that they cannot admit any discussion of their right to full parity with France. The French furthermore have indicated that it may be necessary for them to consider the expansion of the Spanish navy and possibly to enter into a separate understanding with Spain before reaching any definite agreement. That the needs of other navies, or even that they may be factors of importance in the calculations of any of the principal naval powers, has thus far not been brought to our attention in any way. In case any of the lesser naval powers, members of the Preparatory Commission, should request additional information, the Department may desire to consider just how much general information might be given them. As I cannot foresee how soon any of the interested Governments may deem it desirable to approach the Department for consultation or further information, I am placing these considerations before you.