Dear Mr. Walshe:

I am in complete accord with the view you have expressed towards the exchange of notes between the United States Government and the United Kingdom on the interpretation of Article 19 of the Naval Treaty.

In case the Dominions Office gets again into communication with me on the subject, I shall inform them that my Government will take no further action until they are required directly by the United States Government to signify their assent.

I think the matter might have been brought to a head and the United States Government compelled to recognise us if we had not in the first instance concurred unless requested by them to do so directly.

I shall ask Mr. te Water to follow the course you suggest if he has not already committed himself. His Office is closed to-day.