Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, General, British Commonwealth, Volume I

500.A15A5/609: Telegram

The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State

London, January 10, 1936—7 p.m.
[Received January 10—2:30 p.m.]

43. Your No. 10, January 9, 7 p.m.

1. I did point out to both Eden and Craigie that the principle and substance of cooperation and consultation as regards China are contained in the Nine Power Treaty and that as regards the Pacific consultation is provided for in the Four Power Pact¹⁴ and that there could be no reason for any additional agreement for cooperation and consultation unless it were for the purpose of extending this to include Russia.

2. In order to keep the record clear as to the issues we have suggested to the British that they report to the committee at the next meeting that the Japanese have refused to proceed with a discussion of the proposals for notification as to building programs and construction and have insisted upon turning to a discussion of the common upper limit. We have not got complete British agreement on this as yet but are to discuss it further on Monday.

3. If the Japanese walk out the delegation has been discussing the pros and cons of Japan’s continuing in the naval negotiations in the capacity of observer. We feel that while there are objections to having the Japanese delegation as a whole remain on and sit in in technical discussions it would be inadvisable for us to object to their having an observer because this would be construed as a desire on our part to eliminate them altogether and concoct something against them. Since the French and Italians sat in at the Geneva conference as observers¹⁵ without a voice and since the League has an observer at the present Conference, we question the advisability of our objection to the Japanese having the same right. The Japanese may settle this matter themselves but please give us your views if possible before the meeting on Monday.

Davis

14. Treaty signed at Washington, December 13, 1921, Foreign Relations, 1922, vol. i, p. 33.
15. At the three-power conference for the limitation of naval armament, June 20–August 4, 1927; see telegram No. 66, May 17, 1927, from the Ambassador in Italy, Foreign Relations, 1927, vol. i, p. 39.