I append hereto a memorandum of the conversation prepared by Mr.
Reber.12
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by Mr. Samuel Reber of a Conversation
Between the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) and Admiral Bellairs, October 2,
1936
Admiral Bellairs called to explain recent developments in the British
bi-lateral naval conversations with Russia, Germany and the
Scandinavian Powers. He stated that the principal technical
difficulty which had arisen in connection with the Russian
agreement, a copy of which had been furnished Washington,13 related to the
construction of cruisers carrying guns of more than 6 inches in
calibre. The Russians had designs and material for the construction
of ten 7.1-inch cruisers. Should they complete this number of
heavily armed cruisers, the Germans would not be content to keep
their total of large cruisers down to three, but would revert to
their previous demand for five of these vessels. This in turn would
cause the French to insist upon the construction of new cruisers
above their present total of seven, thus destroying the efficacy of
any holiday in the construction of these vessels. Following the
Montreux conversations,14 the Russians,
however seemed disposed to accept a limitation of seven large
cruisers and the British have reason to believe that this will be
acceptable to the Germans, who will not therefore demand more than
three 8-inch cruisers. He hoped therefore that the French would be
content with seven under these conditions.
Bellairs added that of course this information should be regarded as
purely tentative and confidential, as no final agreement had been
reached. He was, however, hopeful as to the possibilities of shortly
concluding a definite accord on these terms.
The other remaining technical difficulty as regards the Russians was
in connection with the construction of two capital ships of 15-inch
guns, but he felt that this would not give rise to any serious
complication.
[Page 110]
The conversations held with representatives of the Scandinavian
Powers had been most satisfactory but no agreement had been
concluded, as their representatives had returned to their respective
countries for consultation with their governments. The only issue
still remaining unsettled was the question of the construction of
one or two coast defense vessels by Sweden which might fall within
the “zone of non-construction.” Bellairs said that his Government
was convinced however that this could be arranged, possibly by an
exchange of notes between the Naval Powers.
Conversations have also been going on with the Poles who have
indicated their general acceptance of the principles of the London
Naval Treaty of 1936.
Thus the two principal naval questions still unsolved were those of
Italy and Japan. Bellairs said that every effort would be made
during the Locarno conversations to persuade the Italians to adhere
to the London Naval Treaty of 1936. He reiterated the British
understanding that the Italian objections were entirely political
and not technical and might be met in these discussions.
In so far as the Japanese were concerned, Bellairs had no information
regarding their attitude save what was generally made public during
the summer. He wondered whether it would be possible to obtain any
prior assurances from the Japanese as to their intentions concerning
the calibre of guns to be placed on future capital ships.
Bellairs continued that the British were turning over in their minds
how these various bi-lateral agreements could be co-ordinated into a
whole, but stated that until the technical questions had all been
solved they had no specific ideas on this subject.
