500.A15A5/644: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 1—4:45 p.m.]
81. Your No. 31, January 31, 7 p.m. Replying to paragraph 1 General Board memorandum as to why the new proposed category light surface vessels (mentioned in our 76, January 30, 6 p.m.) does not include all of previous category B cruisers, British yesterday circulated a paper containing their proposals for new definitions. In this paper the former proposed definition (see also our 67, January 24, 8 p.m.) of “light surface vessels” has been changed to read as follows:
“Surface vessels of war other than aircraft carriers or exempt vessels, the standard displacement of which does not exceed 10,000 tons (10,160 metric tons) and which do not carry a gun above 8 inches (203 mm. calibre).
The category of light surface vessels is divided into two subcategories as follows:
- (a)
- Vessels carrying a gun above 6.1 inches (155 mm.) calibre.
- (b)
- Vessels not carrying a gun above 6.1 inches (155 mm.) calibre.”
It will be noted that 10,000-ton cruisers with 8-inch guns and 10,000-ton cruisers with 6-inch guns are now included in the definition of light surface vessels. The delegation will insist that the treaty be so phrased that 10,000-ton cruisers of both subcategories are still recognized as permissible types and that there is no agreement either expressed or implied to abolish these types or to continue the building holiday in these types beyond the date agreed upon. However, the British proposal with which we are in accord will defer further building of 10,000-ton cruisers with 8-inch guns and 6-inch gun cruisers above 8,000 tons for a definite period of years.
We are alive to the necessity for adequate escape clauses to cover every contingency, see our 72, January 26, 9 p.m.
Replying to paragraph 2, it must be realized that in the absence of any limitation on the total tonnage of the light surface vessel category it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain definite assurances as to the tonnage of this category. However, we will endeavor to ascertain from the British what, if any, definite information can be given as to their program and will further advise the Department on Monday.