500.A15/1121: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
8. Your No. 27, November 18, 7 p.m. The Department is still of the opinion, as it suggested in its No. 7, November 18, 6 p.m., that either you should use phraseology of the London Naval Treaty, or, if you think effect of that phraseology would be unfortunate, you should refrain from making any proposal whatever regarding escape clause.
The omission of word “other” would imply right to “advise” as to whether or not the party desiring to make use of escape clause is justified in doing so or not; we desire to avoid this implication, just as we did at the London Naval Conference, in order that the freedom to make use of it shall not be hampered.