File No. 861.00/2098
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 23, 4.34 p.m.]
Supplementing my telegram of June 11, noon.1 A reply has been prepared by the Japanese Government to Mr. Balfour’s formal inquiry. It was to be dispatched to Chinda to-day, but was held back because of recent reports of increasing disorder in Siberia which is now reported to be threatening the lives and property of all nationals, and also because the Foreign Office has been informed of the President’s statement to M. Delanney2 that he was considering anew the entire situation, and would express his conclusions within the next ten days.
I am reliably informed that my British, French and Italian colleagues will be called in conference at the Foreign Office to-morrow, when Japan’s proposed reply to Mr. Balfour will be read and discussed. I will not be invited to conference. I feel safe, however, in reporting that Japan will not act without the fullest understanding with the United States Government.
[Page 220]Baron Goto has been careful during the past month to keep me confidentially advised of Japanese development in the situation. He has repeatedly stated to me that he is doing this in pursuance of his conviction that the closest cooperation with the United States is an essential condition Japanese Foreign Office.