500.A15a3/1295: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16—2 p.m.]
101. Delegation’s telegrams No. 58, December 6, 11 p.m., and No. 59, December 9, 11 a.m. I am informed by Craigie, who is now in Berne, that Rosso went to Rome with the intention of discussing with Grandi the possibility of accepting Craigie’s formula regarding 6-inch cruisers and destroyers, and thus narrowing the conversations regarding auxiliary craft to Italy’s right to build submarines up to 52,700 tons.
Rosso told Craigie in Geneva that if the situation were hopeful, he would ask the latter to go to Rome to talk with Grandi. Craigie has now received such an invitation and is going to Rome this evening.
Japan’s attitude, at least as Craigie heard it expressed at Geneva, has created, he says, a new difficulty. The Japanese representative feared that the Privy Council would interpose very serious objections to any treaty figures calculated at a higher level than 52,700 tons in submarine category, such as would be permitted by allocating 77,000 tons for French submarines.
Repeated to Brussels and Rome.