500.A15a3/105: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5—9:35 a.m.]
221. On reading my No. 220, August 4, over again, I find that the last two sentences need to be clarified; therefore please substitute for them the following:
Gibson’s statement in his letter telegraphed herewith is what I have in mind: “The Prime Minister and Alexander, when making their suggestion for a slight preponderance on the part of the United States in 8-inch-gun ships, added that they did not care how great our preponderance in these ships might be.”
After a consideration of the discussion which took place I was not impressed by the belief that their ultimate attitude was thus represented. However, in the negotiations it may be best to assume that this attitude exists and that such attitude is intended to be conveyed by the letter from MacDonald.