500.A15a3/1276: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation on the Preparatory Commission (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:58 p.m.]
31. We have learned from Craigie who has called that, in a lengthy conversation with Rosso, he, Craigie, had suggested to the Italian delegate a plan for auxiliary vessels which would work out along the following lines:
- 1.
- Other than the completion of the 1930 program, no 8-inch-gun cruisers to be constructed between now and 1936.
- 2.
- In 6-inch-gun cruisers, replacement only; that is, no new construction.
- 3.
- For destroyers, the same policy as laid down in point 2.
- 4.
- Upon completion of the 1930 program, no construction of submarines.
Briefly, this adds up to a naval holiday with regard to points 1 and 4, and the construction of replacements only under points 2 and 3.
On points 1 and 2 this amounts to an approximate parity, and on points 3 and 4 France is left a considerable margin of superiority.
Rosso did not at all commit himself but raised no objection to Craigie’s suggestion that he, Craigie, go over this matter with Massigli. Rosso merely requested that the fact that he had even heard of it should not be mentioned.
Massigli, whom Craigie saw next, showed the latter a new offer which he, Massigli, had just received from Dumesnil. The new offer essentially provides that the two fleets remain on their present levels. There should be replacement only, no new construction. Craigie states that the French would plan replacements to the extent of about 50,000 tons annually. Having less replaceable material, the Italians would have to be satisfied with a considerably smaller program. This, Craigie indicated to Massigli, was a considerably worse offer than the French had made at London. There the French had included about 100,000 tons of over-age material in their proposal of 685,000 tons.
Thereupon Craigie introduced the plan outlined in the first paragraph of this telegram. After hours of discussion an agreement was reached. Until he had had further talks with Massigli concerning the Craigie proposal, the British delegate would not submit the Dumesnil plan to Rosso.
The essential points of what Craigie had told us were confirmed by Massigli when he called. Massigli declared, however, that under the Dumesnil plan the French building program would not be 50,000 tons per annum but approximately 40,000.
It has become more and more obvious that both the Italians and French, rather than negotiating by means of direct conversations, prefer negotiating through the intermediary of Craigie.