500.A15A/98: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt)
141. Your 142, June 15, 1 p.m.7 Norman Davis now at London has informed Department8 that the question of Soviet participation in the preliminary naval conversations is being agitated by Kuh of the United Press who has just arrived from Moscow and is endeavoring to force a statement of our views, claiming that the Embassy in Moscow is encouraging this move. Mr. Davis has authorized that inquiries with regard to our attitude be answered to the effect that we have come on invitation from the British, that at the time we were invited we were informed that invitations would be extended to Japan, France and Italy and that it is not therefore for us to extend invitation to any Power or to take a position as to whom invitations will be extended. Mr. Davis states that all indications point to the fact that the question of Soviet participation will not be raised as the British are opposed to the extension beyond the five naval Powers.
The Department has informed Mr. Davis9 that we agree with the British that it would be inadvisable to extend either the preliminary [Page 281] naval conversations or the 1935 naval conference beyond the five principal naval Powers.
Department had previously informed Mr. Davis that we were opposed to enlarging the 1935 naval conference by the inclusion of other naval Powers with their attendant naval problems.