Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, General, Volume I

500.A15A5/882: Telegram

Mr. Norman H. Davis to the Secretary of State

London , April 24, 1937—4 p.m.
[Received April 24—11:52 a.m.]

Your April 21, 4 p.m. In discussing with Cadogan²⁰ the pros and cons of our approaching Italy in regard to the naval treaty, we both agree it would be undesirable to do anything until after agreement is reached with Russia and Germany. I also told Cadogan that since the British have been taking the initiative all along I thought it would be better for us not to take this up with Italy unless it should be found inadvisable for the British to do so. Cadogan agreed and said that the tension with Italy was easing somewhat and that the prospects of getting Italy to sign were improving.

The British informed me that the Soviet Ambassador has now received authority to sign the naval treaty and that as soon as German consent to the modifications, tentatively agreed upon with Russia, had been obtained they will sign both agreements which they hope will be shortly.²¹

Davis

20. Alexander M. G. Cadogan, British Deputy Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
21. Anglo-Russian and Anglo-German naval agreements were signed in London, July 17, 1937; for texts, see British Cmd. 5518, Russia No. 1 (1937), and British Cmd. 5519, Germany No. 1 (1937), respectively.