500.A15A/118: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)
277. For Norman Davis. We have gone over with the President in considerable detail your recent telegrams, particularly 364 and 367.
Obviously there is no political possibility here of “an agreement in contractual form” to pursue a common policy with Great Britain in the Orient. Whatever the euphemism this would in effect constitute an alliance.
The whole British approach to these conversations both political and technical has been intensely disappointing. We agree that the next step is for you to have a full and frank private talk with Baldwin to bring home to him the fact that our policy as outlined by the President to MacDonald does not represent a bargaining position but a deep conviction that only on the basis of further reduction or at the very least extension of the present treaties for a further term can a new agreement on naval armaments usefully be reached. Within these limits it may be possible for the British to suggest minor readjustments but any increase would be definitely unacceptable. For the moment in order not to complicate your negotiations, we shall withhold a public statement of our position but cannot commit ourselves indefinitely irrespective of developments.
For your information. In the course of the last few days, articles have appeared under London datelines: (a) implying that the American Government had made public confidential British proposals; (b) accusing an unnamed member of the American Delegation of indiscretion, and (c) crediting you with taking the initiative in bringing up the question of the Japanese ratio (see your telegram 332, paragraph 2, June 18, 10 p.m.). We have thus far scrupulously refrained from giving any information to the press here in Washington. I hope you will find ways and means to check the propaganda emanating from London which is putting both this Government and our Delegation in a false position.