500.A15a3/1399
The British Ambassador (Lindsay) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary of State: The annexed memorandum contains the text of the basis of agreement now reached83 with reference to the problems left outstanding by the London Naval Conference. It is still subject, however, to minor drafting amendments. In conveying to you confidentially the information contained therein Mr. Henderson asks me to say the following:—
Throughout our negotiations it has been recognized on all sides that our acceptance of any settlement is of course subject to the assent of the other signatories of the London Naval Treaty.
Our view is that the figure of 81,989 tons for French submarines is extremely high but we hope that a more satisfactory settlement of the submarine question may be possible during the World Disarmament Conference at Geneva.
In any case we are unable substantially to improve on the present position in respect of the proposed figure for submarine tonnage. We have to reserve our full rights to increase our destroyer figure under Article 21 of London Naval Treaty.
I regret that an increase, however small, should have been necessary in the French and Italian capital ship tonnages fixed by the Treaty of Washington, but it will be seen that this increase will not give rise to any new construction during the period of the Treaty and will merely operate to enable France to retain an existing overage capital ship which she might otherwise have been obliged to scrap on completion of her second capital ship. Moreover, the increase is agreed to without prejudice to any general scaling down of capital ship levels which may be brought about at later conferences.
There is no truth in the report that the new naval agreement contemplates a general reduction of the maximum size of battleships. It is proposed, however, that His Majesty’s Government should inform [Page 374] both the French and Italian Governments in a separate communication that they continue to favour, so far as they are concerned, a reduction in the maximum displacement of capital ships fixed by the Treaty of Washington and also reduction of the maximum gun calibre to twelve inches.
I propose that the agreement should be recorded in the form of separate declarations and the actual form which these shall take is now being studied.
I do not anticipate that the French and Italian Governments will raise any difficulty on this point.
In conveying the above to you I am to say that Mr. Henderson will be happy to furnish you at once with any further explanation of which you may stand in need.
Mr. Henderson’s message concludes as follows:—
We are particularly anxious that this information should be regarded as strictly confidential until the assent of all the Governments parties to the London Naval Treaty has been obtained. I trust that, in view of the great political advantages which may be expected to follow upon the conclusion of the proposed agreement, the United States Government will see their way to concur in the agreement which has emerged from many months of difficult negotiation. It would be particularly agreeable to His Majesty’s Government if it were possible to announce the terms on Monday, March 9th next by agreement with all the other signatories.
Believe me [etc.]