500.A15a3/1420
The British Ambassador ( Lindsay ) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary of State: In my communication of yesterday regarding the basis of settlement of the problems left outstanding from the London Naval Conference I informed you of the conclusion which had now been reached to the effect that in order to settle the form and contents of the documents in which the bases of agreement are to be cast it will be necessary to convoke a drafting committee, [Page 377] probably in London, and of the hope which I was instructed to express that the United States Government would be prepared to be represented on this committee.
I am now instructed to request the views of the United States Government at the earliest possible moment, as His Majesty’s Government are anxious to communicate with the Japanese Government on the subject without delay. The French Government, I understand, consider it essential that the drafting committee should meet immediately, a view with which His Majesty’s Government agree.
I should be most grateful, my dear Mr. Secretary, if you would advise me what reply I should return to Mr. Henderson.
Believe me [etc.]