Office of the Historian

500.A15A5/639: Telegram

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

Washington, January 31, 1936—7 p.m.

31. Your 76, January 30, 6 p.m. The General Board has drawn up the following memorandum with regard to the cruiser question:

  • “1. Referring to American Delegation despatch number 76 of 30 January 1936, the General Board requests that information be obtained from our delegates as to why the new proposed category of light surface vessels does not include all of previous category (b). If not included, is it the intention to retain 10,000-ton 6.1-inch cruisers in a separate category? In connection with a possible agreement to refrain for a period from further building of 10,000-ton cruisers, the General Board suggests that this be so phrased as not to imply a discontinuance of these types but as a natural result of adherence to the pertinent clauses of the London Treaty.
  • 2. The General Board questions the advisability of making commitments as to delay in building cruisers until definite assurance is given by the British concerning the ultimate limits of British cruiser and destroyer classes, including overage tonnage if such retention is [Page 53] desired. The definite restriction on 10,000-ton 8-inch and 6.1-inch types seems inconsistent in a treaty in which all other types will be unrestricted.”

As we understand it, their position is that the formula for providing for a holiday in the building of 10,000-ton cruisers should be so phrased that there will be no abandonment of the types in which a holiday is agreed to and that there will be no question at the end of the holiday period of the right to build those types, nor will there be any question of the right to build such types in the event of the holiday being terminated by reason of the action of other naval powers. Also, there appears to be a range between 8,000 and 10,000 tons which is not clearly covered. We suggest it might be well to submit a draft of a possible formula to cover the proposed holiday.

As far as concerns paragraph 2 of the memorandum the General Board desire further information and assurance, if possible, regarding the British intentions concerning the ultimate limits of the new proposed light surface category.

We hope you will be able to give us sufficient information on which a decision can be reached.

Hull