500.A15A5/903
Press Release Issued by the Department of State on July 10, 1937
On April 1, 1937, in view of the fact that all the Parties to the Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armament of February 6, 1922, had not accepted 14 in. as the limit of the caliber of guns on capital ships, under the London Naval Treaty, 1936, 16 in. automatically became the limit of the caliber of guns to be mounted on capital ships.
However, this Government, not wishing to leave a stone unturned in its effort to maintain the limit of the caliber of guns on capital ships at the lower level, about June 1, on its own initiative sounded out the Governments Parties to the Washington Naval Treaty to ascertain whether they would be willing to maintain the limit of the caliber of guns on capital ships at 14 in. At the same time, this Government in line with its policy consistently followed of favoring the principle of a reduction of armaments, expressed its entire willingness faithfully to maintain the lower level.
The Governments thus approached have now replied. Unfortunately, it is established that there is not a universal acceptance by the Washington Naval Powers of the limit of gun caliber at 14 in.
With the greatest reluctance, therefore, this Government has been obliged to conclude that all other Governments have given no assurance of the maintenance of the 14 in. gun level. As a consequence, therefore, guns of a caliber of 16 in. will be mounted on the two new battleships for which appropriation has been made and on which construction has begun.