500.A15a3/1341: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 3—3:05 p.m.]
35. I understand that suggestions have been made to Paris that might form the grounds for the discussion of the Franco-Italian naval differences and possibly, in the view of some experts here in London, for their settlement. These suggestions have resulted from Craigie’s visits to Geneva and Rome. French reports, I am told privately, have been discouraging and not constructive. It is Vansittart’s58 opinion that it is not at all in the interest of France to leave matters at this point. He told me today that he had written privately to Tyrrell59 urging him to stimulate Briand’s60 greater personal attention to the experts’ present attitudes by taking some opportunity to raise the naval question again at the Quai d’Orsay. Vansittart also expressed his personal view that it might now be a psychological time to indicate the concern of the United States Government in the outcome of the naval negotiations. He thought this might be done through a similar talk with Briand by Edge. If the Department should think this latter suggestion meritorious it might be best for Edge to talk first with Tyrrell. Tyrrell, if he had by then talked with Briand, would inform Edge of the reception which his points had had, and, in any event, would give him details on the attitudes of the experts. Vansittart thought also that it might be advisable for the Japanese Ambassador to follow separately a similar course with Briand. In any event he felt that any step taken should be of a private and informal nature in this stage of life of the new French Government.61
Repeated to Brussels.