Documents of the Washington Naval Conference, 1921-22

The WNC was one of the major diplomatic events of the interwar period. Senior delegations from the victorious nations of World War One gathered to discuss naval disarmament and the resolution of outstanding Far Eastern problems. The Conference resulted in several treaties and resolutions, the most significant of which was the Treaty Limiting Naval Armament.

Treaties

SubjectDateFRUS Ref
Washington Naval Treaty
Four Power Treaty13 Dec 1921FRUS 1922 V1, p32
A Treaty in relation to the use of submarines and noxious gases in warfare6 Feb 1922

Plenary Sessions

SubjectDateNAA Ref
First Plenary Session12 Nov 1921256796

Meetings of Heads of Delegations

ReferenceSubjectDateTNA RefFRUS Ref
H.D.W. 11st Meeting10 Jan 1922CAB 30/11FRUS 1922 V1, p144
H.D.W. 22nd Meeting11 Jan 1922 (1100 meeting)CAB 30/11FRUS 1922 V1, p177
H.D.W. 33rd Meeting11 Jan 1922 (1530 meeting)CAB 30/11FRUS 1922 V1, p188
H.D.W. 44th Meeting12 Jan 1922CAB 30/11FRUS 1922 V1, p200
H.D.W. 55th Meeting13 Jan 1922CAB 30/11FRUS 1922 V1, pp219-245

Sub-committee of Fifteen on Naval Limitation

ReferenceSubjectDateNAA RefTNA Ref
S.N.L. 11st Meeting15 Dec 1921175741CAB 30/26
S.N.L. 22nd Meeting16 Dec 1921CAB 30/26
S.N.L. 33rd Meeting17 Dec 1921CAB 30/26
S.N.L. 44th Meeting20 Dec 1921CAB 30/26
S.N.L. 55th Meeting25 Jan 1922CAB 30/26
S.N.L. 66th Meeting30 Jan 1922CAB 30/26

Sub-committee of Five on Drafting

ReferenceSubjectDateNAA RefTNA Ref
D.C.F. 11st Meeting31 Dec 1921175741CAB 30/22
D.C.F. 22nd Meeting18 Jan 1922CAB 30/22
D.C.F. 33rd Meeting20 Jan 1922CAB 30/22

Committee on Program & Procedure with respect to Limitation of Armament

ReferenceSubjectDateTNA Ref
P.A.C. 11st Meeting14 Nov 1921CAB 30/8
P.A.C. 22nd Meeting23 Nov 1921CAB 30/8

Committee on Limitation of Armament

ReferenceSubjectDateTNA Ref
A.C. 11st Meeting15 Nov 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 22nd Meeting23 Nov 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 33rd Meeting12 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 44th Meeting22 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 55th Meeting22 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 66th Meeting23 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 77th Meeting24 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 88th Meeting24 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 99th Meeting28 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 1010th Meeting28 Dec 1921CAB 30/9
A.C. 1111th Meeting29 Dec 1921CAB 30/10
A.C. 1212th Meeting29 Dec 1921CAB 30/10
A.C. 1313th Meeting30 Dec 1921CAB 30/10
A.C. 1414th Meeting30 Dec 1921CAB 30/10
A.C. 1515th Meeting5 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 1616th Meeting6 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 1717th Meeting7 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 1818th Meeting9 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 1919th Meeting27 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 2020th Meeting31 Jan 1922CAB 30/10
A.C. 2121st Meeting3 Feb 1922CAB 30/10

Meetings of the British Empire Delegation

SubjectDateNAA RefTNA Ref
Index238603CAB 30/1A
1st Conference13 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
2nd Conference15 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
3rd Conference16 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
4th Conference17 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
5th Conference18 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
6th Conference22 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
7th Conference25 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
8th Conference28 Nov 1921238603CAB 30/1A
9th Conference1 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
10th Conference2 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
11th Conference7 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
12th Conference9 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
13th Conference10 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
14th Conference19 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
15th Conference20 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
16th Conference31 Dec 1921238603CAB 30/1A
17th Conference2 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
18th Conference3 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
19th Conference4 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
20th Conference6 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
21st Conference9 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
22nd Conference11 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
23rd Conference12 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
24th Conference19 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
25th Conference20 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A
26th Conference31 Jan 1922238603CAB 30/1A

UK Cabinet Papers

ReferenceSubjectDateTNA Ref
CP 3532 (also CID 299-B)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Aircraft and Air Forces1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CP 3738Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armament. Washington Conference17 Feb 1922CAB 24/133/39

UK Parliamentary Command Papers

ReferenceSubjectDate
Cmd 1627Conference on Limitation of Armaments. Washington. 1921-221922
Cmd 2036Treaty between the British Empire, France, Italy, Japan and the United States of America for the Limitation of Naval Armament. Signed at Washington, February 6, 19221924
Cmd 2037Treaty between the British Empire, France, Japan add the United States of America relating to their Insular Possessions and Insular Dominions in the Pacific Ocean, and accompanying Declaration, together with Treaty Supplementary to the above Treaty and Identic Communication to Netherlands and Portuguese Governments respecting the above Treaty. Signed at Washington, December 13 1921, and February 6, 19221924

UK Committee of Imperial Defence (CID) Papers

ReferenceSubjectDateNAA RefTNA Ref
CID 279-BThe Washington Conference - Note by the Secretary of State for Air1 Oct 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 280-BThe Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments1 Oct 2021CAB 30/1A
CID 283-BThe Washington conference1 Nov 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 285-B (W.D.C. 9)United States Proposals for the Reduction of Armaments1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3445
CID 286-B (W.D.C. 17)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 287-B (W.D.C. 18)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 288-B (W.D.C. 19)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 289-B (W.D.C. 21)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 290-B (W.D.C. 23)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 292-B (W.D.C. 30)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Wei-Hai-Wei1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 293-B (W.D.C. 30)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Wei-Hai-Wei1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 294-B (W.D.C. 32)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 295-B (W.D.C. 33)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 296-B (W.D.C. 34)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 298-B (W.D.C. 40)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Limitation of Standing Air Forces1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 299-B (W.D.C.45, CP 3532)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Aircraft and Air Forces1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 303-B (W.D.C. 68)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 305-B (W.D.C. 75)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - Naval Armaments1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 306-B (W.D.C. 76)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - Naval Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 307-B (W.D.C. 77)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - Naval Armaments1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 308-B (W.D.C. 78)Naval Armaments - France1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 309-B (W.D.C. 79)Naval Armaments - France1 Dec 1921ADM 116/3446
CID 310-B (W.D.C. 22)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - American Proposals for the Limitation of Naval Armaments1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3445
CID 313-B (W.D.C. 90)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - Naval Armaments France1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 314B (W.D.C. 93)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament1 Dec 2021ADM 1/8735/72
CID 316-B (W.D.C. 98)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armaments - Naval Armaments France1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 317-B (W.D.C. 99)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - The Naval Ratio1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 322-B (W.D.C. 110)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - The Naval Ratio1 Dec 2021ADM 116/3446
CID 328-B (W.D.C. 129)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Decode Telegram from Mr Balfour No 243, dated January 10, 19221 Jan 1922ADM 116/3446
CID 332-B (W.D.C. 137)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Singapore1 Jan 1922ADM 116/3446
CID 334-B (W.D.C.141)Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament - Naval Treaty - Fortifications in the Pacific1 Jan 1922ADM 116/3446
CID 166-CThe Washington Conference and its effect upon Empire Naval Policy and Co-operation1 May 1922CAB 5/4
CID 176-CThe Washington Conference and its effect upon Empire Naval Policy and Co-operation1 Aug 1922422524CAB 5/4

Admiralty Fleet Orders

AFO numberAFO titleTNA Ref
AFO 2544/23Washington Naval TreatyADM 182/37

Reports

SubjectDateNAA RefFRUS Ref
Extract - Report of the Canadian Delegate9 Feb 1922
Report of the Australian Delegate1 Jun 1922228781
Report of the NZ Delegate24 Jul 1922
Report of the US Delegation9 Feb 1922FRUS 1922 V1, p306

Miscellaneous

SubjectNAA Ref
Conference Proceedings
Chart showing Composition of Committees256797
List of Ratifications and Accessions12133533
Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1922, Volume I: Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, November 12, 1921–February 6, 1922 - Index

National Archives(UK) Files

TNA RefSubjectDate
ADM 1/8735/72Discussion at the time of the Washington Conference, 1921-2, concerning a ten year naval holiday1929
ADM 1/8615/207Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament 1921/221921
ADM 1/8616/218Redistribution of the Fleet. Proposals in event of adherence to Washington Conference. Tables comparing 1921-22 Fleet with proposed 1922-23 fleet.1921
ADM 1/8619/15Reorganisation of the Reserve Fleet according to the proposals of the Washington Conference1922
ADM 1/8620/35Disposal of Capital ships to be scrapped under the Washington Treaty1922
ADM 1/8622/54Washington Conference. Root resolutions regarding the use of Submarines1922
ADM 1/8622/55Washington Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armaments. Draft parliamentary bill1922
ADM 1/8623/66Washington Treaty concerning the scrapping of capital ships1922
ADM 1/8630/142British Empire Delegation to the Washington Conference. Minutes of meetings, 13 November 1921 to 31 January, 19221922
ADM 1/8651/252Washington Treaty. Effect on territories and insular groups in the Pacific1923
ADM 1/27399Washington Conference: interpretation of treaty, regarding use of submarines1922-25
ADM 1/27402Washington Conference: limitation of naval armaments1925-26
ADM 116/2149Washington Conference. Volume 11921-22
ADM 116/2150Washington Conference. Volume 21921-22
ADM 116/2197Limitations of Armaments - Treaties of Washington Order 19231922-24
ADM 116/3165Washington conference and its effect on Empire Naval policy and co-operation considered by committee of Imperial Defence.1922-23
ADM 116/3445Washington Conference: limitations of naval armament. Volume 11921-22
ADM 116/3446Washington Conference: limitations of naval armament. Volume 21921-22
ADM 116/3447Washington Conference: limitations of naval armament. Volume 31921-22
ADM 116/3448Washington Conference: limitations of naval armament. Volume 41921-22
ADM 116/3449Washington Conference: limitations of naval armament. Volume 51921-22
BT 11/20/1Washington Conference 1921-2 Plenary Session Minutes1921-22
BT 11/22/5Washington Conference 1921-2 (a) Chinese Customs Tariff Treaty (b) Far Eastern Treaty (c) Quadruple Treaty between U.S.A., British Empire, France and Japan (d) Limitation of Armaments discussion1922
CAB 21/218Washington Conference, 1921: International disarmament1922
CAB 21/275British intentions at the Washington Conference (1921) regarding submarine warfare and their effect upon aircraft1923
CAB 30/1ABritish Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes 48-731921-22
CAB 30/1BBritish Empire Delegation Conference: Memoranda, etc., 72-1501921-22
CAB 30/2British Empire Delegation Conference: Memoranda, etc., 151-2191922
CAB 30/3British Empire Delegation Conference: Plenary Sessions 1-7 shorthand notes1921-22
CAB 30/4British Empire Delegation Conference: Index to Plenary Sessions 1-71921-22
CAB 30/5British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, W.D.C. 1-801921
CAB 30/6British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, W.D.C. 81-1811921-22
CAB 30/7British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, W.D.C. 182-2261922
CAB 30/8British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Minutes of meetings P.A.C. 1-21921
CAB 30/9British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings A.C. 1-101921
CAB 30/10British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings A.C.11-211921-22
CAB 30/11British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings H.D.W 1-51922
CAB 30/12British Empire Delegation Conference: Index to Cab 30/8-111921-22
CAB 30/13British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings, F.E.C. 1-101921
CAB 30/14British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings, F.E.C. 11-211921-22
CAB 30/15British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings, F.E.C. 22-311922
CAB 30/16British Empire Delegation Conference: Sub-Committee of Heads of Delegations on Far Eastern Questions: minutes of meetings, H.D.P. 3-41922
CAB 30/17British Empire Delegation Conference: Committee on Programme and Procedure: minutes of meeting P.P.C.11921
CAB 30/18British Empire Delegation Conference: Index to minutes of Committee on Pacific and Far Eastern questions and Committee on Programme and Procedure1921-22
CAB 30/19British Empire Delegation Conference: Pacific and Far Eastern Question Committee: Foreign Post Offices in China Sub-Committee C.P.O.11921
CAB 30/20British Empire Delegation Conference: Pacific and Far Eastern Question Committee: Extra Territoriality in China Sub-Committee: E.C.S. 1-21921
CAB 30/21British Empire Delegation Conference: Drafting D.C. 1-9 (Pacific and Far Eastern Question Committee)1921-22
CAB 30/22British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Drafting Sub-Committee of Five D.C.F. 1-31921-22
CAB 30/23British Empire Delegation Conference: Sub-Committee of Chinese Eastern Railway C.E.R. 1-51922
CAB 30/24British Empire Delegation Conference: Pacific and Far Eastern Question Committee: Sub-Committee on Chinese Revenue C.T. 1-6; Washington (Disarmament) Conference1921-22
CAB 30/25British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Chinese Tariff S.C.T. 1-21921
CAB 30/26British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Naval Limitation (Sub-Committee of Fifteen) S.N.L. 1-61921
CAB 30/27British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Notes of conversations between the British Empire Delegation and Foreign Delegation, S.W. 1-511921-22
CAB 30/28British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Conference Resolutions, B.E.D. series1921-33
CAB 30/29British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Naval Treaty: stages in drafting1922
CAB 30/30Draft Mandates (for approval by the League of Nations) for use of the Conference Secretariat1921
CAB 30/31British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, Sir Maurice Hankey's conference correspondence1921-22
CAB 30/32British Empire Delegation Conference: Minutes of meetings and memoranda, circulars1921-22
CAB 30/33British Empire Delegation Conference: Pacific and Far Eastern Question Committee: Index to Sub Committees1921
CAB 63/34Washington Conference; copies of letters from Hankey1922
FO 262/1548Washington Conference1922
FO 412/118Washington Conference Memoranda1921
FO 800/151/25Note from Sir F Piggott to Lord Curzon concerning: Anglo-American relations regarding the Washington Conference and issues of maritime laws and armed neutrality. Encloses a memorandum on the subject. Contains minutes by Herbert Malkin and Robert Vansittart, and a copy of a response from Reginald Leigh to Piggott dated 21 October 1921.1921
TS 27/634Washington Treaty on Limitation of Naval Armaments; suggested postponement of construction of two capital ships.1922-25
WO 32/5957Application of Washington Naval Treaty affecting movable armaments at Hong Kong1922

National Archives of Australia Files

BarcodeSeries NoControl symbolTitleDate Range
43784A11925/18401Washington Naval Disarmament Treaty. Boundaries of the Commonwealth and its Territories1925
70430A4321934/00984Treaties of Washington Act 1922 and London Naval Treaty Act 1930 - Date of Commencementno date range
71082A4321929/3682Washington Conference 1921-221921-22
84179A457B407/3/36Supplying of Hansard to the Private Secretary to the Australian Representative at the Washington Conference.1921
175738A981DIS 1 PART 1Washington Conference 1921-22: Part I (Including Appointment of Australian Representation)1921
175739A981DIS 1 PART 2Washington Conference 1921-22: Part II1921-22
175740A981DIS 1 PART 3Washington Conference 1921-22: Part III. Senator Pearce's Report1921-22
175741A981DIS 1 PART 4Washington Conference 1921-22: Part IV. Minutes of Proceedings1921-22
175743A981DIS 3Washington Conference 1921-22: Financial1921-24
175744A981DIS 4Washington Conference 1921-22: British Delegation's Supplementary Papers 19211921
175745A981DIS 5Washington Conference 1921-22: Press Cuttings relating to the Conference1921-22
175746A981DIS 6Disarmament: Ratifications of and Adhesion to Treaties signed at Washington Feb 6 19221922
216844A4603WASHINGTON CONFERENCE 1922Washington Conference 1921-221920-28
228781A28631922/4Treaties of Washington Act 19221922
237243A3934SC11/10Proposed Disarmament Conference at Washington1925
238212A4311395Washington Conference 1921-221921-34
238603A471914Personal Papers Sir George Pearce - Minutes of the British Empire Delegation to the Washington Conference November 1921 - January 19221921-22
238604A471915Washington Conference 1921-22: Report of Australian Delegate1922
239681A5954823/1Washington Conference 1921-22: Report of the Australian Delegate1921-22
239762A5954958/1Washington Conference 1921-22: Limitation of Armaments (Senator Pearce)1921-22
249757A118041925/245 PART 1Washington Conference 1921-221923-25
256796CP285/2BUNDLE 2/AWashington Conference 1921-22no date range
256797CP285/2BUNDLE 2/BWashington Conference 1921-22no date range
275850A59541206/13The Washington Conference and its effect on Empire Naval Policy and Co-operation28 July 1922
421146A6661301China: 1. Treaties with Great Britain: 2. Treaties Between Great Britain and Foreign Powers relating to China: 3. Washington Treaty of 19221925-27
422293A66611375Washington Conference 1921-22 and Treaties1922-23
422513A66611370AWashington Conference 1921-22: Ratification and Delegates attending1921-22
422521A66611406Washington Conference 1921-221921-22
428084A60061921/10/4Delegate to Washington Conference1921
428171A60061921/12/31Washington Conference 1921-22: Cost of Passage of Mrs Pearce1921
428251A60061922/1/26Washington Conference 1921-22: Payment of Mrs Knowles Fare1922
428283A60061922/6/2Transport Expenses - Lady Pearce - Washington Disarmament Conference1922
428508A60061922/6/12Washington Conference 1921-22: Expenses of GF Pearce1922
430284MP124/6603/201/177British Naval Position in the light of the Washington Treaty - Representations by Mr. Lucius Cary1924
436883A60061925/03/04Washington Conference 1921-221925
462565MP525/1247/1/1Washington Conference 1921-221923
691564A5954959/1Washington Conference 1921-22: Report of the Australian Delegate1922
693330A59541162/7Parliamentary Debates - 1922. Hansard Reports Vol. 99 - 28.6.1922 to 11.8.1922 Washington Disarmament Conference1922-65
693333A59541162/8Parliamentary Debates - 1922. Hansard Reports Vol. 100 - 11.8.1922 to 26.9.1922 Washington Disarmament Conference : Treaties of Washington Bill1922-65
693922A59541193/2Washington Conference 1921-221922-c65
856699AWM123310Washington Conference 1921-22: Cables, departmental correspondenceDec 1935 - Nov 1936
4172828A4311395/1Washington Conference 1921-22: Ratifications of and adhesions to Treaties signed at Washington1921-34
4172829A4311395/6Washington Disarmament Conference 1921 - Miscellaneous Papers1922
4172830A4311395/5Washington Conference 1921-22: Report of Australian Delegate1922-23
4172846A4311395/4Washington Conference 1921-22: Appointment of Australian representation1921
4190627A458A11/1Washington Conference 1921-22: Fourth Section of File1923-25
5169211A1183140Agreement of supplementary stipulations to the Quadruple Treaty signed at Washington on 13 Dec 1921.6 Feb 1922
8889035A99921921/2Unregistered files of the Department of External Affairs - Washington Conference 1921. British Empire Delegation document BED 144: Mandated Territories North of the Equator, including the Island of Yap (originally SC233/20)20 Dec 1921
12033291A4311395/3Naval Disarmament - A brief record from the Washington conference to date1929-70
12133533AA1967/1656Washington Conference 1921-22, London Naval Treaty 19301913-32
30156197A1330714CProcès-verbal of deposit of ratifications of the Treaty for the Limitation of Naval Armament between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy and Japan - Date and place of signing: Washington, 6 February 1922 - Language: English1922-23
30484171A1330789/9Treaty between the British Empire, the United States of America, France, Italy and Japan, for the Limitation of Naval Armament - Date and place of signing: Washington, 6 February 19221922-2003

Corrections and additions welcome

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