500.A15a3/1360: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:25 p.m.]
50. Referring to my No. 47 of February 19, 5 p.m., I am told that Craigie, on his return to London, brought back the French proposals which the French desired to have written into the London Naval Treaty. The French figures were found by Henderson, who fears an unexpected reaction on further limitation or reduction in naval armaments, to be too large for inclusion in the treaty. The French were informed of Henderson’s attitude by Craigie when he reached Paris last Thursday, but did not change their attitude; on last Saturday, therefore, Craigie returned to London followed by a special messenger carrying a letter from Briand to Henderson setting forth Briand’s hopes of cooperation.
This morning Henderson, Alexander, and Craigie left for Paris, and I am advised by the Foreign Office that they will inform Briand that the French figures for embodiment in the London Naval Treaty cannot be accepted by the British. The possibility, however, is contemplated by Henderson of the British making a declaration stating that the French figures for embodiment in the Treaty cannot be accepted by England, but adding that the British Government will take no action under article 21 in view of the 1932 Disarmament Conference. It is hoped by Henderson, I understand, that this declaration (which in fact [Page 368] may be described as a gentlemen’s agreement providing an answer to hostile questions in Parliament) will be accepted by the French, and that they will not attempt to force the writing of their proposals into the London Naval Treaty before the 1932 Disarmament Conference. The entire party will proceed to Rome if the conversations in Paris are considered by Henderson to be sufficiently successful.
There are articles in the local press of yesterday and today from Paris correspondents quoting in part “Pertinax”, alleging agreement in Anglo-French conversations, but the London Times reports today that since an agreement between France and Great Britain is still delayed by the question of French submarine tonnage, this conclusion is hasty.