500.A15a3/1205: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 28—6:47 a.m.]
342. From Gibson. Tardieu this afternoon in the course of our conversation, and after some hesitation, said he felt he ought to tell me, very confidentially, about one difficulty: The real obstacle to naval agreement was, he said, to find levels which would satisfy the British; as soon as these levels were found, it would be relatively easy to come to terms with the Italians. He added that for several days discussions with Great Britain had been under way and he hoped they would be over shortly with a resultant material clarification in the situation. Indeed, it was his suggestion that I remain in Paris until the question had been settled but he subsequently agreed with me that I had better go on to Rome and prepare the ground there.
It would seem from this that the British have already gone along our lines about as far as they can while they themselves are engaged in direct negotiations; for this reason you may feel that we cannot in the immediate future ask them to do anything further.
Considering the present situation—which now seems adjusted as satisfactorily as can be hoped for here—do you not think it would be better to make any further communications through our Paris Embassy rather than through Claudel in order that they may be coordinated with the clear understanding now existing in Paris rather than show up any further misunderstandings resulting from possible failure of Claudel to understand the exact nature of your proposals.