500.A15A4/1301: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
179. The British naval proposal has confirmed my foreboding as to the chief danger to this country which may arise in the course of the discussion over the Hoover plan. It is conceivable that, although a substantial agreement as to land and air armaments may be reached, a serious issue may arise in regard to naval armaments in which Britain and Japan join in supporting a method of reduction which we cannot accept. Not only are the British battleship and cruiser proposals quite unacceptable in view of our historic insistence upon greater cruising radius, but their plan involves a necessary period of transition between two systems of size of armament which would involve special dangers to us. (See my 152, June 27, 4 p.m.) Please do not lose sight of these possibilities. If America should find herself unfortunately isolated by such a combination, it would nevertheless be necessary to maintain an unyielding position on those points, and it would be unfortunate if there was anything put on record or said informally which made it difficult for us to do so. I believe you are fully aware of this situation but its importance is so serious that I venture to call it specially to your attention.