500.A15A5/853: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Phillips ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 18—3:05 p.m.]
28. My 22, January 16, 1 p.m.9 In reply to the Naval Attaché’s request for confirmation that Italy had accepted a limitation of 14 inches for guns to be placed on future capital ships, the Ministry of Marine has stated in writing that this limitation applies only to future construction and not to the two capital ships now building which will have guns of 15 inches. A copy of the reply which gives further details will be mailed by the first pouch.10
In this connection the British Ambassador told me yesterday that although he had received no pledges regarding Italy’s adherence to the naval treaty he was satisfied in his own mind, in view of statements made to him by Ciano,11 that the only remaining obstacle to Italian cooperation was the delay in French and British ratification.