An item dated New York, USA 31th referred to the Herald Tribune which newspaper claimed to know that the USA in the next naval conference were to propose to fit out battleships with maximum 14” guns in contrary to England and Japan who proposed 12` guns.(1) The USA was asked to accept that calibre. Norman Davis (2) had just visited Roosevelt (3) and this was the outcome of that conversation.
Notes
1. . The Second London Naval Disarmament Conference was held in London, United Kingdom from 9 December 1935 on ending in the so-called Second London Naval Treaty signed by the United Kingdom, USA and France. Japan and Italy both did not ratify in contrary to the past. Dealing with the capital ships was a maximum displacement of 35.000 tons armed with maximum 14” guns. There was an escape for the calibre, if Italy or Japan still not ratify after 1 April 1937 was 16” allowed. In 1938 was the maximum displacement increased to 45.000 tons. As a result of the outbreak of the Second World War on 1 September 1939 ended in fact the treaty effectively.
2. Norman Hezekiah Davis (9 August 1878 Normandy, Bedford, Tennessee, USA-2 July 1944 Hot Springs, Virginia, USA), diplomat and for instance delegate for the USA at the General Disarmament Conference, Genova, Switzerland.
3. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (30 January 1882 Hyde Park, New York, USA-12 April 1945 Warm Springs, California, USA), Democratic politician, president of the USA 4 March 1933-12 April 1945.
