500.A15A5/714: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—5:30 p.m.]
132. Your 64, March 9, 2 p.m. I entirely agree with you that in view of the tenseness and uncertainty which will result from the German action in the Rhineland, it is most important to expedite a conclusion of the work of the Naval Conference and we are accordingly pressing matters as rapidly as possible. We have in fact now disposed of all the technical questions and, with the exception of the escape clauses upon which we hope to reach agreement in the next few days, we are all ready to draw up a final treaty.
I had thought that the German action might make France and England more hesitant about finally committing themselves on a naval treaty. The French, however, expressed themselves as eager to expedite and complete the naval agreement. Although Craigie told me today he thought we could be ready to sign within 10 days, I suspect that the British are feeling some qualms about the advisability just at this moment of signing a supplementary bilateral treaty with Germany. Craigie also told me the Germans had insisted that England should also get Russia bound by a bilateral treaty and that the Russians had offered no objection. He had received no definite reply and was fearful that there would be some delay on this because the Russians act very slowly.
[Page 89]At any rate, I see no reason why we cannot get the draft of a treaty agreed upon in another 10 days or so, and if France or England for any reason is not then prepared actually to sign the treaty, I do not think we should wait any longer. We now see no reason why we should not sail on March 26 and are planning to do so.