500.A15/934
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton)
Sir: The British Ambassador came to see me on May 3, 1929, and read a memorandum regarding the recent naval discussions at Geneva, a copy of which is enclosed for your strictly confidential information.28
When Sir Esme reached the words on the second page beginning “Once a broad line of agreement for the naval forces of the United States and Great Britain had been determined”, et cetera, I interrupted him and inquired what that meant, saying that I thought that the broad lines of agreement such as the parity of the two navies were already agreed upon. He at once said that he concurred with me and did not think that the words referred to parity at all. He added that he would report my statement to his Government.
I told him that I thought that the doctrine of parity was not used in a military sense at all but as a doctrine of statesmanship, it being the only basis upon which two proud and independent countries could agree not to build against each other but to reduce their navies. He said he fully agreed with me.
He finished the reading of the paper and I told him that I should have to take conference on the question asked on the second page as to whether the United States Government desired that the British naval authorities should work out their own calculations independently or whether the United States Government proposed to communicate to them confidentially for consideration the calculations which they understand that the United States naval authorities have made, and stated that I would give him our answer later.
I told him that we agreed as to the next to the last paragraph of the memorandum in which the British Government states that it considers that it would be undesirable for any figures to be published until the two Governments have had full opportunity for confidential discussion.
[Page 109]He stated that in view of my departure for New York he would report by telegraph to his Government what I had said and concluded that he would expect an answer from us after my return.
On the day following this conversation Mr. Castle, Assistant Secretary of State, discussed the British memorandum with the Secretary of the Navy; I am enclosing a self-explanatory memorandum on this subject.29
I am [etc.]