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Notes on the Text |
THE 1935 ANGLO-GERMAN NAVAL AGREEMENT |
Historical Significance |
In February 1935 Germany began building up her
submarine fleet, laying down boats U1 to U12. This was against the
terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which prohibited Germany from any
activities related to submarine development or construction. As they
were nearing completion Hitler sent his representative, Joachim Von
Ribbentrop, to Britain to negotiate a naval treaty to give these boats
some legality and allow them to be accepted by the rest of the world. To considerable national (and international) condemnation, Britain concluded an agreement allowing Germany a total fleet up to 35% of the size of the British fleet (including Commonwealth fleets), and a stunning agreement that Germany may have parity with Britain in the total number of submarines (giving them a submarine fleet equal to the largest in the world). Put in to real terms, this agreement allowed Germany a fleet greater than either the French or Italian navies. More significantly than that, it granted Germany the right to begin building a submarine fleet, and legitimised the two battleships that Germany was building (Scharnhorst and Gneisenau). On hearing the news, Hitler exclaimed that “this is the happiest day of my life”. The British government's reason for making the agreement with Germany was the belief that it was better to have an agreed limit on German rearmament than to have rearmament with no limit. However, this reasoning was roundly condemned, not least by Winston Churchill, who declared:
The first boat (U1) was launched on 29 June 1935, just 11 days after the agreement was signed. The following year, Germany laid down the Bismarck and the Tirpitz. |
Note from the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the German Ambassador, London | |
Foreign Office 18 June 1935 His Excellency Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop |
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German navy allowed to build up to a size of 35% of the British navy |
Your Excellency During the last few days the representatives of the German Government and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been engaged in conversations, the primary purpose of which has been to prepare the way for the holding of a general conference on the subject of the limitation of naval armaments. I have now much pleasure in notifying Your Excellency of the formal acceptance by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of the proposal of the German Government discussed at those conversations that the future strength of the German navy in relation to the aggregate naval strength of the Members of the British Commonwealth of Nations should be in the proportion of 35:100. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom regard this proposal as a contribution of the greatest importance to the cause of future naval limitation. They further believe that the agreement which they have now reached with the German Government and which they regard as a permanent and definite agreement as from today between the two Governments, will facilitate the conclusion of a general agreement on the subject of naval limitation between all the naval Powers of the world. |
This agreement is a permanent agreement
This agreement does not affect future agreements between other naval powers
The agreement is not affected by construction of any other nation
The 35% ratio applies for each class of ship (eg battleship, aircraft carrier etc)
The heavy and light cruisers to be treated as one category
Submarine tonnage may be up to 100% of the British tonnage
'Unused' tonnage in one category can be used in another category of vessel |
2. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom also agree with the
explanations which were furnished by the German representatives in the
course of the recent discussions in London as to the method of application
of this principle. These explanations may be summarised as follows:
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This ratio stands unless another agreement is made | 3. With reference to subparagraph (c) of the explanation set out above, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have taken note of the reservation and recognise the right therein set out, on the understanding that the 35:100 ratio will be maintained in default of agreement to the contrary between the two Governments. |
4. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform me that the German Government agree that the proposal of the German Government has been correctly set out in the preceding paragraphs of this note. | |
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency's
obedient servant. SAMUEL HOARE |
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Note from the German Ambassador, London, to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs | |
London 18 June 1935 The Right Honourable Sir Samuel Hoare, Bart, GCSI, GBE, CMG, MP |
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Your Excellency I have the honour to confirm to Your Excellency the receipt of your Note of today's date in which you were good enough to make the following communication on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom: |
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I have the honour to confirm to Your Excellency that the proposal of the Government of the German Reich has been correctly set out in the foregoing communication and I am happy to note that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom accepts that proposal. | |
Germany accepts the agreement | The Government of the German Reich is also of the opinion that the agreement which it has now reached with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and which it regards as a permanent and definite agreement as from today between the two Governments, will facilitate the conclusion of a general agreement on these questions between all the naval Powers of the world. |
I
have the honour to be, etc. JOACHIM VON RIBBENTROP Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the German Reich |
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