500.A15a3/1447b
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Lindsay)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have given considerable thought to your communications of March 10 and 11, expressing the hope that the United States would be represented on a Drafting Committee which would settle the form and contents of the documents containing the agreement reached with France and Italy on naval questions.
As I pointed out in my letter of March 6, the question of form involves the question of the necessity of its submission to the Senate and the consequent possibilities of delay. I have discussed this problem at some length with Senator Morrow who, as you know, is thoroughly acquainted with the entire problem as the result of his participation as a Delegate in the London Naval Conference. Before reaching a decision with respect to participation in the work of the proposed committee, I have asked Senator Morrow, who is now on his way to Europe on a vacation, to stop off in London for a day or two and informally to discuss with Mr. Henderson both the tripartite understanding between Great Britain, France and Italy, on future programs up to the end of 1936, and the question of the extension of the capital ship tonnage limits fixed by the Washington Treaty for France and Italy.
I should be grateful if you would acquaint Mr. Henderson with the foregoing and advise him that Senator Morrow will be at his disposal on the 17th or 18th of this month.
Accept [etc.]