500.A15A5/629: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—9 p.m.]
62. Your 20, January 18, 2 p.m. I welcome your views as to what our attitude should be in negotiating a naval agreement with European powers. While it is true that Great Britain is particularly interested in getting an agreement among the European naval powers in which we should play only a secondary part it is important from our standpoint as I see it that there should be agreement among such powers because of the bearing which this has upon the agreement between the British and ourselves. Furthermore such an agreement would increase the pressure upon Japan either to come into an agreement ultimately or at least not to start a naval race.
I had rather suspected that with Japan out England, France and Italy might wish to take up matters which strictly concerned them such as the Mediterranean but so far there has been no indication whatever of any such intention at least within the Conference itself.
With regard to your 23, January 20, 2 p.m. For the reasons however in the last paragraph my 47, January 14, 7 a.m. [p.m.] a general quantitative agreement now is out of the question. The only hope I can see now of any quantitative limitation would be through an exchange of building programs.
It is evident from our discussions in the last day or so that even with regard to qualitative limitation there are certain difficulties that will have to be concurred in [in] the absence of a quantitative agreement and with regard to adequate escape clauses to provide for such contingencies as may arise in connection with Japan in case she definitely refuses to adhere. We are at present exploring possible solutions of these difficulties and shall cable you our suggestions very shortly.