126 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1934, VOLUME III

In reply to request for assurances that His Majesty’s Government
would do nothing without the United States Simon side-stepped and
pointed out that he had already addressed this inquiry and further
answered that he had read in this morning’s press the reported inter-
view given by Ambassador Saito in Washington.

BinGHAM

 

793.94/6591 : Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain
(Bingham)

Wasuineron, April 23, 1934—6 p. m.

156. Your 187, and 188, April 21,10 a.m. and 11 a.m. We have
received neither in Tokyo nor in Washington any communication
from Japanese Government. Thus far, Department has declined
to discuss or comment upon Japanese Foreign Office statement.

We believe that the essential facts with regard to the issuing of
the statement and its substance are now known; that the issuance
of such statement naturally causes in the United States and in the
other countries which possess rights and interests in the Far East
feelings of amazement; and that all such powers would wish in the
light of those facts to express views and to make such decisions with
regard to action individual or concurrent as they may deem appro-
priate. For example, we are considering the making by the Ameri-
can Government, for the benefit of the American people, of a state-
ment containing reference to international law and treaties and de-
claring, with or without detail, our attitude and position, but we
have not decided definitely that this will be our procedure. In the
light of Sir John Simon’s approach to you, we would give careful
consideration to any suggestions or proposals which the British Gov-
ernment might wish at an early moment to make.

You may inform Sir John Simon of all of the above and say to
him that, in acting for the safeguarding of our own interests, we are
willing to do our part toward the safeguarding of the common in-
terest, but not to do more than our part and that we will welcome
any indication which he may be disposed to give us, in confidence, at
his earliest convenience, of the British Government’s thought, or in-
tentions, in the premises.

A separate telegram follows giving additional data information
which you may, in your discretion, use in connection with the above.

PHILLIPS