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The Cabinet were in formed by the First Lord

of the Admiralty that, in the course of a private

conversation with Admiral Kelly, the French Naval

Representative at the Geneva Preparatory Commission

had made some suggestions which he stated were

his own and had not received any endorsement from

the French Government. The essential point of

this proposal, which Mr Bridgeman read to the

Cabinet, was to limit, on a basis of parity between

Great Britain and the United States, and between

France and Italy, all Cruisers of 10,000-tons and

below which were armed with 8-inch guns or with

guns, above 6-inch calibre, but that there should be

no limitation on Cruisers armed with 6-inch guns

and below

This proposal was felt by the Cabinet to offer

prospects of progress towards Naval disarmament,

but it was pointed out that this would not in any

way affect the question of disarmament on land,

which must be the main preoccupation of the German

Government.

Nevertheless, it was felt that

considerable advantage would be obtained if a

breakdown could be avoided on Naval Disarmament,

so that the way would be prepared for further

progress.

After a full discussion, the Cabinet agreed

(a) That the Secretary of State for

Foreign Affairs should at once Bend a despatch to Paris informing the British Ambassador that the French representative on the Pre- paratory Commission of the League of Nations had, unofficially and without authority, in a private conversation with Admiral Kelly, made a proposal (particulars of which would be given) which commended itself to His Majesty's Government, and that if the French Government would put it forward formally at Geneva the British representative would be instructed to support it:

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