FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1934, VOLUME III



   Department's 193, November 23, 7 p. m., which is extremely help-
 ful, has just been decoded but is still somewhat garbled. This tele-
 gram answers query (b). I shall reply to query (c) shortly after
 further thought.                                           Gpxw

 893.6363 Manchuria/93: Telegram
    The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

                                 TOKYO, November 27,1934-6 p. m.
                               [Received November 27-2: 15 p. m.]
  262. Department's 193, November 23, 7 p. m., query (c).
  1. The Embassy has kept all of the Department's instructions con-
cerning the oil monopoly in Manchuria and the Japanese Petroleum
Control Law constantly in mind, clearly understands the Depart-
ment's views and policy and has endeavored to reflect the Department's
attitude when appropriate occasion has arisen.
  2. In the same way the Embassy feels that it need not repeat the
various factors and considerations already brought to the attention
of the Department in previous telegrams and despatches.
  3. In the light of all circumstances now known to the Embassy I
believe that a further American de'marche similar to that made by
Clive on November 24 is desirable for the following reasons:
  (a) Failure to continue our representations in step with the British
would probably convey both to the Japanese and the British the im-
pression that we are weakening in the face of Japan's determined
attitude.
  (b) Renewed representations would give concrete evidence at least
of our own willingness to maintain a united front while awaiting fur-
ther initiative by the British and Dutch Governments.
  (c) Hitherto our representations have been informal and our com-
munications (July 7 and August 31 63) were marked "informal memo-
randum". Since these informal representations have apparently
yielded no concrete results it would be a logical step now to follow
them up with formal representations either by a signed note or by an
aide-memoire or memorandum conveyed by a covering note as was
done by the British on August 21 and November 24. In each case the
British communications have antedated ours.
  (d) A formal and firmly worded recapitulation of the various
points already advanced, with the possible addition of a clause similar
to the concluding clause of the last British aide-me'moire (see para-
graph 6 of my 260, November 23 [24], 11 p. Mi.64) and of any further
arguments which suggest themselves to the Department, would tend
to mobilize and emphasize our whole case.
  4. It is impossible to predict the practical effect, if any, on the
Japanese of such a third d6mnarche. Clive seemed to think that

3 Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931-1941, vol. i, pp. 130 and 133.
" Not printed.



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