Dino Grandi is presented as an Italian patriot whose later opposition to Mussolini did not diminish his determination to strengthen Italy at the conference. His negotiating task was to preserve room for gradual development and prevent France from gaining a superior formal position. By listening, mediating selectively, and avoiding binding provisions, Italy bought time and helped set the pattern for its later refusal to join the Second London Naval Treaty. Italian cruisers were already testing Washington-era boundaries, so avoiding fresh cumulative limits protected both current practice and a longer rearmament strategy.
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Dino Grandi protects Italian freedom and French parity
Italy's delegate insisted on true parity with France while avoiding provisions that would restrict Italy's ability to expand later.