500.A15a3/1667a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Edge)
619. For Dawes.42 When the Manchurian case is concluded and you see Briand to say goodbye I hope you can find an occasion to say, with respect to the settlement of the naval question, that I feel that it would be extremely desirable for France to examine very sympathetically the Italian memorandum handed the French Foreign Office on November 12. It seems most desirable that an accord on this naval question be reached prior to the convening of the Disarmament Conference. In my opinion, the change from 6 to 5 years meets the French objections to the Bases of Agreement. An agreement on this naval question will enable Italy to enter the Disarmament Conference with no outstanding differences with France. Such an agreement would likewise serve as an antidote to the present gloomy predictions arising [Page 439] out of the difficulties of the Manchurian case and the French reaction to the recent disarmament meeting in Paris.
I think the same considerations should be set before Laval if the opportunity presents itself. Express to him my hope that he will give attention to the beneficent results that an accord on this matter would have just now.
- General Dawes had been sent to Paris to advise with the League Council regarding the Manchurian affair. For correspondence concerning the occupation of Manchuria by Japan, see vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.↩