893.51/2386b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis)
5878. The Government of the United States is unalterably opposed to the reservation by Japan of Manchuria and Mongolia from the operation of the proposed International Consortium. From press dispatches and unofficial sources of information the Department understands Japan intends to insist upon reserving those regions as a condition precedent to her membership in the Consortium. While we desire to refrain from further communication with Japan on this subject until we hear from that government officially in the matter we desire to know at the earliest possible moment whether the British Government and the British group will agree with those of the United States and of France to proceed at once to the organization [Page 481] of the Consortium without Japan, reserving for future consideration as to membership the Japanese and others who have applied.
You will immediately perceive the necessity for the most confidential treatment of this matter and for the most expeditious reply possible. After you have discussed it orally with the Foreign Office and have obtained an affirmative reply you will then exchange confidential notes confirmatory thereof. You will please urge the British Government to agree and express the very great interest this Government feels in the premises. You will please caution the British Government to be most discreet in approaching their banking group and to exercise great care that this proposal be restricted to the information of the smallest possible circle.
You may say that the American Government and the American Group are in perfect accord and stand ready to proceed to organization and to business.
A copy of this instruction is going to Am[erican] Embassy, Paris, and will be Department’s cable number 9064.
A quick and favorable reply is expectantly awaited.