500.A15a3/750: Telegram

The Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

134. To be repeated to Tokyo.79 Our telegram of March 13, 3 p.m.

An agreement was reached with Wakatsuki and Matsudaira in further conversation with the Japanese this afternoon that the following limits for Japan will be recommended to their delegation and to Tokyo: 8-inch, 108,400; 6-inch, 100,450; destroyers, 105,500; submarines, 52,700. This will mean 60 percent in 8-inch, 70 in 6-inch, 70 in destroyers, and submarine parity. We have agreed to make the same recommendation to the British as well as to our delegation and to Washington. A reservation will be inserted by Japan to the effect that after the expiration of the treaty she may claim that 10,000-ton cruisers will replace the Furutaka class in 1943. A statement reserving the right to oppose this claim if then made will be signed by us.

Stimson
  1. Transmitted to the Embassy in Japan as Department’s telegram No. 47, March 13, 3 p.m.