500.A15a3/18: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:55 p.m.]
166. … Gibson arrives Monday evening. Of course I have kept away completely from any naval contacts. Furthermore I have asked MacDonald to decide whether I ought to see Bridgeman,13 as the latter wishes. If MacDonald should advise me to see Bridgeman, I shall await arrival of Gibson so that he can join in the conference. His experience and knowledge make his initiative in this situation essential in any contacts or discussions with naval people.
[Page 131]The following is entirely tentative, and for your possible comment; it is something which I shall talk over with Gibson. It seems to me that possibly it might be wise for Gibson, MacDonald and myself to make as full use as possible of the personality of Matsudaira in these early conferences. The Japanese Ambassador is sympathetic and wise. It is clear to me that possible advantages may accrue in the future from the initiative of Japan in suggestions as to a naval yardstick, as well as in other matters. From naval interviews in Tokyo which are printed here, I take it for granted that the Japanese Government is already concerning itself sympathetically with the question of the naval yardstick which will be prepared by its own naval technicians. These conversations with the Japanese Ambassador would inevitably bring up, of course, the questions of conversations concurrently with France and Italy. This matter must be thought over very carefully.
Your No. 150, dated June 21, 3 p.m., has just been received. What I have said above will indicate to you some of the things which I plan to talk over with Gibson. I await his coming with much eagerness.
- William Clive Bridgeman (created Viscount Bridgeman of Leigh in June 1929), First Lord of the British Admiralty, 1928–1929.↩