500.A15 a 1/350: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—12:38 p.m.]
44. [Paraphrase.] Last night Bridgeman sent for Sharkey of the Associated Press and drafted with him the following authorized interview, text of which I deem it wise to cable to Department for its records: [End paraphrase.]
“Great Britain has no intention of contesting the principle of parity between the naval strength of the United States and Great Britain, Mr. Bridgeman, the First Lord of the British Admiralty, said tonight in an exclusive statement to the Associated Press. Mr. Bridgeman added that he was surprised to see that an impression seemed to prevail in some quarters that Great Britain was asking for supremacy. He said that he was not aware of anything that had been said by any of the British delegates that could convey that idea. He continued: ‘Our policy has been to state frankly what are the British requirements but we never disputed the American claim for parity as established by the Washington treaty. It is true that we think our special needs demand higher number in certain types of vessels but we do not deny the right of the United States to build up to an equal figure in any type of warship if she thought it necessary. As regards battleships I have seen statements that the possession by Great Britain of the new ships, the Rodney and the Nelson, would give Great Britain some superiority if her proposals to limit the future size of battleships to 30,000 were adopted but I am sure that a continuance of parity arrived at in Washington in battleships could be secured by a reasonable adjustment of replacement tables.’ ”