500.A15A5/703: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 3—3:03 p.m.]
119. Your 29, January 29, 7 p.m. One of the conditions on which we can agree to reduce the gun caliber of capital ships to 14 inches is “that during this year no signatory would lay down any ships with over 14-inch guns.”
The United States, British Empire and Japan are prohibited by the London Treaty from laying down any capital ships this year. France and Italy have never ratified any part of the London Treaty and therefore retain their right under the Washington Treaty to lay down this year capital ships mounting guns not in excess of 16 inches. Italy does not contemplate laying down any capital ship this year. France intends to lay down shortly a 15-inch gun ship which will give her two such ships to balance the two 15-inch gun ships now building by Italy. It is understood the design of this ship is completed and to change the gun caliber to 14 inches will delay the ship for a considerable time and it is extremely unlikely that France will consent to the restriction “that during this year, et cetera.”
[Page 84]Summarizing, the United States is protected under the London Treaty against the laying down of any capital ship during this year by Japan or Great Britain. The question of the laying down this year of a capital ship carrying guns in excess of 14 inches by France, Italy, Germany or Soviet Russia is mainly a European question. In view of the above Admiral Standley and I recommend that we do not insist upon the condition mentioned in [paragraph] one of this despatch.
Please advise immediately if you do not agree.