THREE-POWER CONFERENCE at Geneva for the Limitation of Naval ArmaMENT, JUNE 20-AUGUST 4, 1927-Continued Date and number 1927 Subject Page July 25 (62) July 25 July 26 (63) July 26 (116) July 27 (65) July 28 (173) July 28 (122) July 28 (126) July 29 To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Instructions to advise how much variation from Washington treaty ratio the naval advisers would recommend, since political question involved is how much variation from the Washington treaty can be allowed without endangering treaty itself. From President Coolidge Commendation of the Secretary and the American delega- Intention to state publicly, if British press continues to Disinclination to consider several suggested alternatives: (1) To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Approval of chairman's attitude toward the suggestions outlined in telegram No. 116, July 26; request for further information on the fourth proposition. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Official remarks by Chamberlain (excerpt printed), to the effect that, while his Government is willing to have a temporary arrangement concerning cruiser building, it could not permit such an arrangement to be considered so immutable as to constitute a precedent. (Repeated to Geneva.) From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Prediction that break-down of Conference cannot be avoided, in view of information that British have not made any substantial change in their demand for small cruisers and 6-inch armament. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Deadlock of Conference over 8-inch-gun question resulting from inclusion in new British proposals of the same objectionable proposal for 6,000-ton 6-inch-gun cruisers; unacceptability to British of suggested political clause; fixing of date for plenary session, at which each Government may state its position. To President Coolidge (tel.) Telegram to delegation at Geneva (text printed) suggesting that to avoid disastrous consequences of break-up of Conference, it might be well to abandon the scheduled plenary session and adjourn for a few months to permit time for reflection. 133 133 134 135 135 136 136 137 138 THREE-POWER CONFERENCE at Geneva for the LImitation of NAVAL ARMAMENT, JUNE 20-AUGUST 4, 1927-Continued Date and number 1927 July 29 (71) July 30 (137) July 30 (76) July 31 (82) July 31 (139) July 31 (141) Aug. 1 (87) Aug. 1 (147) Subject To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Statement by the President to the press (text printed), basing failure of Conference to reach an agreement thus far on U. S. inability to agree to British proposals calling for the building of a much larger navy than is thought necessary, but expressing opinion that such proposals may be modified in current discussions to an extent enabling the United States to agree. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Request for immediate instructions as to desirability of suggesting to Japanese that they propose adjournment to American and British delegations, in order to avoid the unfavorable implications of a weakening in U. S. attitude if its delegation takes initiative in proposing adjournment. To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) T Information that the President has disapproved an adjournment and has instructed that a clear, firm statement of U.S. position be given; also information that the chairman's telegram No. 137, July 30, was forwarded to the President. Instructions to advise should either Great Britain or Japan propose an adjournment. (Footnote: Information that a telegram was received from the President at 9:20 p.m., July 30, authorizing the Secretary to use his own discretion as to instructions.) To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Advice that any suggestion for a naval holiday during a provisional period, as reported in a London press despatch, should be given careful consideration before abandoning Conference. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Résumé of interviews with British delegates which demonstrate the irreconcilability of American and British views. Information that the final American statement is being prepared for presentation at the plenary session. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Suggestion that, in view of Geneva press reports that Baldwin may consult the U.S. Secretary of State in Washington as to plans to prevent collapse of Conference, Secretary may think it best that plenary session be postponed until after the interview. To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Information that Secretary has not received any official indication of Baldwin's desire to confer on subject of Conference. British Ambassador's comment that naval holiday plan might offer basis on which the Governments could agree. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Information that American delegation is preparing statement to be made at plenary session; that Japanese are apparently unwilling to initiate adjournment idea; and that British seem anxious for Japanese to propose some solution, possibly of a compromise nature. Request for instructions as to attitude toward possible proposal (1) that a final act be adopted setting forth work of Conference and recommending that the whole question be considered in 1931 or (2) that each delegation address to plenary session inoffensive speeches approved in advance by the other delegations. The chairman's preference for first proposal. Page 139 140 141 141 142 145 145 146 THREE-POWER CONFERENCE AT GENEVA FOR THE LIMITATION OF NAVAL ARMAMENT, JUNE 20-AUGUST 4, 1927-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1927 Aug. 3 Aug. 3 Aug. 3 Auf 95) Aug. 4 (155) Aug. 4 Aug. 4 Aug. 5 Aug. 10 To President Coolidge (tel.) Transmittal of telegram No. 149, August 1, from American delegation, quoting Japanese plan for limitation of auxiliary vessel construction up to 1931, together with delegation's comments and Secretary's reply, to effect that the plan does not appear very satisfactory but that it would be better for Great Britain to turn down the proposal than for the United States to do so (texts printed). To President Coolidge (tel.) Transmittal of Secretary's reply to chairman's telegram No. 147, August 1, agreeing that first proposal should be supported; of chairman's further suggestion for a joint public statement that agreement on cruisers has not been possible and that, therefore, adjournment is being agreed upon in an effort to give a chance for direct negotiations between interested Governments; and of Secretary's approval of latter course of action (texts printed). To the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) Assurance by Senator Robinson, Democratic leader, that he will support U. S. course at Geneva. From the Chairman of the American Delegation (tel.) British insistence on separate statements; procedure for the final session agreed upon by the three delegations: (1) introductory statement by chairman of the American delegation, (2) statements by British, Japanese, and American delegations, (3) prohibition on debate, and (4) the reading and approval of a joint declaration in which the three delegations recognize the deadlock which makes it wise to adjourn with a frank statement of divergent views and also state their intention to submit the matter to the respective Governments for further study. To President Coolidge (tel.) Joint declaration read at final session (text printed), with recommendation that 1931 Conference provided under Washington treaty be held earlier than August of that year. To President Coolidge (tel.) Statement to press (text printed) with regard to the final session, expressing belief that the discussions will not have been fruitless and that failure to reach agreement will not impair the cordial U. S.-British relations. Memorandum by the Secretary of State Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador concerning proceedings and termination of Conference. To President Coolidge Regret at failure of Conference; opinion that the United program. 148 150 152 152 153 155 156 157 DISARMAMENT PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD and FourTH Date and number Subject Page 1926 Dec. 9 (190) Dec. 29 (85) 1927 Jan. 11 Feb. 10 (8) Mar. 7 (57) Mar. 21 (186) Mar. 22 (95) From the Secretary of the American Representation on the Pre- 159 Specific references to American delegation's position on To the Secretary of the American Representation on the Prepara- Instructions to address a letter to Secretariat, with request To the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House Information as to aims and work of Preparatory Commis- Memorandum for Secretary General of the League (text printed), containing American comments on the report of the Joint Commission. (Footnote: Information that the memorandum was circulated by the Secretary General to Preparatory Commission and League members on March 10.) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Information that British will lay before opening meeting of From the Chief of the American Representation on the Presentation by British delegate of draft convention, and To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Information, in event it becomes necessary to define U. S. 162 163 166 175 176 177 PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1927 Mar. 23 (191) Mar. 23 (194) Mar. 24 (195) Mar. 24 (196) From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Outline of two possible courses which will be open to United From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- View that if second course outlined in telegram No. 191, From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Proposed statement to Commission (text printed), offering Request for early decision as to double convention idea, in view of desire of colleagues to broach this idea which they worked out independently. 177 179 179 183 Mar. 25 (98) To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory 184 Mar. 26 (199) Mar. 26 (99) Mar. 27 (201) Preliminary comment on proposed statement, to the effect that it may be too much of an endorsement of League supervision; intention to send complete comment March 26. From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Opinion that no other course than the one outlined in pro- To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Objections to statement in present form, and instructions 184 186 From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- 188 Request for authority to revise statement so as to meet objections outlined in Department's telegram No. 99, March 26, and to present it promptly to Commission. |