500.A15 a 1/447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 19—7:51 a.m.]
168. Pursuant to instructions in your telegram No. 165, July 16, noon,71 I had an interview with Chamberlain and gave him an outline of its contents.
He stated that he was fully of the opinion that nothing would be accomplished by a meeting at Geneva between you both. Chamberlain further said that he had only suggested this because he had been told through informal sources in Washington that you had given consideration to such a meeting.
He considered that it would be more advisable to allow the delegates at Geneva to discuss any British concessions as regards the size of cruisers or the total tonnage thereof.
This telegram has been transmitted to Geneva for delegation’s information.