500.A15 a 1/362: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
26. I have consulted the Secretary in regard to your No. 53, July 2, 11 a.m.
No proposition by British delegation which sets total cruiser tonnage figure to be arrived at before 1936 at a higher figure than 400,000 tons, a figure which itself this Government considers excessive, would make conclusion of an agreement worth while at present time. You may either formally or informally inform British delegation of this view whenever you deem expedient. Unless I receive your advice to the contrary, I intend to consult the Canadian and the Irish Legations to ascertain whether either of these Governments has demanded extensive increases in tonnage; you may, in your discretion, so inform the British delegation. I should like to know if you wish me to take up the matter with the Japanese Ambassador also.