500.A15a3/14: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:55 p.m.]
162. Evidently having had inquiries from his Government concerning the proposed visit of MacDonald to the United States, the Japanese Ambassador paid me a call yesterday morning. In confidence I informed him that MacDonald had told me that his visit to the States would not be made until the negotiations for naval disarmament had taken place, and the reasons therefor. He seemed relieved and expressed his gratitude for the information given.
I am very glad that the President decided to have Gibson confer with me in London. It would be well, I think, for you to announce in Washington that at your suggestion Gibson is going to London in a few days to have a conference with me; that the announcement should be made in Washington rather than in London seems advisable to me. It would appear from such a course that the United States Government realized that these negotiations should proceed without interruption, considering the conditional legislative commitment of this Congress to a large naval program. We must overcome, of course, any appearance that our desire for expediency should militate against the most careful and painstaking technical preparation. However, the whole psychology of the situation is at present in its most favorable state and the earlier we reach an agreement upon the yardstick the more confident we can be that it will receive approval.
The King’s speech will be read before Parliament on July 2 and the debates in that body on this measure during the ensuing days will indicate just what support MacDonald may expect on his program of pressing for a settlement of the disarmament question in the near future from this newly elected legislative body.
My kind regards to yourself and the President.