500.A15A5 Plenary Sessions/7: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—12:25 p.m.]
19. Signor Grandi who opened the general discussion today made a speech characterized by plain speaking and common sense. He restated the essential point of Italian diplomacy with respect to equality of rights between all states and equalization of armaments at the lowest levels. He likewise said that he was firmly convinced of the necessity for completing the London naval agreements and that his Government was willing to do all in its power to bring them to a successful conclusion at any time. He likewise felt that the draft convention drawn up by the Preparatory Commission formed a basis [Page 32] for discussion although there is no reason not to examine other projects. With respect to French proposal he merely said that it raised juridical, political and technical problems affecting the very structure of the League Covenant and that it would be studied by the Italian delegation. He said his country would not hesitate to consider any problems tending to fortify the institutions of the League provided they would lead to an effective reduction of armaments. He said that his country was ready to accept an organic plan of limitation which would comprise:
In respect of naval armaments
- (1)
- —The simultaneous abolition of capital ships and submarines.
- (2)
- —The abolition of air craft carriers.
In respect of land armaments
- (1)
- —The abolition of heavy artillery of all kinds.
- (2)
- —The abolition of tanks of all kinds.
In respect of air armaments
- (1)
- —The abolition of bombing aircraft.
In general
- (1)
- —The abolition of all kinds of aggressive means of chemical and bacteriological warfare.
- (2)
- —The revision of the laws of war so as to ensure a more complete and effective protection of civilian populations.
Signor Grandi’s speech was followed by Matsudaira who acquitted himself well in his very difficult position. Specifically he said that his nation favored the restriction of bombing and the application of rules for submarine warfare to all types of ship and favored the total abolition of the aircraft carrier as well as arrangements to prevent the carrying of airplanes on any other type of ship. He supported the limitations already in force in the Washington and London agreements and made no reference whatever to possible changes in ratio.
This speech was followed by a dry résumé by Zaleski of Poland giving the steps which Poland had contributed to the general problem of security and outlining their ideas on moral disarmament.