500.A15A5/599: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)
8. We feel firmly convinced that the Japanese have no intention of receding from their insistence upon parity with the British and ourselves and that they have no intention of becoming a party to any [Page 23] agreement on any other phase of the naval situation which does not recognize their demands for a “common upper limit”. It would seem advisable to have a clear-cut decision as early as possible on whether the Japanese would be willing to reach an agreement on any phase of the naval situation in the absence of an agreement which would grant parity to them. If the Japanese are eventually to refuse any agreement which would not include recognition of their right to build to a “common upper limit”, I question the advisability of continuing to discuss ways and means of arriving at an agreement with them as the very fact of continuing to discuss such possibilities will, if continued beyond a reasonably short exploratory period, undoubtedly weaken the position which we must eventually take publicly. If the conference is to end on a note that the Japanese have made and insisted upon a demand which is entirely unacceptable to the British and ourselves, it would seem to be desirable that this should take place early rather than after a too long drawn out series of attempts to arrive at a conclusion which could have become evident in the early stages of the Conference. To continue discussion in such circumstances would only result in confusion in the public mind and may meanwhile offer an opportunity for the militarist element in Japan to use the news from London in a manner tending to justify their own aims and to intensify antagonism on the part of the Japanese people toward the United States. I would suggest, therefore, that you consider the advisability of discussing the situation with the Chairman of the Conference with a view to ascertaining whether the procedure of the Conference may be so formulated as to develop an early definite answer to the question of whether an agreement involving Japan is possible at this time. In the event that such an agreement does not appear to be susceptible of realization, I would also suggest that you study the possibilities of such agreement as may be feasible which would include the other nations present at the Conference and to which Japan might possibly adhere later and, if no agreement seems to be possible of achievement within a reasonably short time, you might discuss with the Chairman the advisability of adjourning the deliberations of the Conference until such time as the prospects for some agreement become more favorable.
These suggestions are entirely for your own consideration and discussion with the Chairman of the Conference and not to be put forward at this time as proposals of the American Delegation. I should be very glad to receive a report of your views on the subject.
The President has seen and approved this telegram.