893.51/2695: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Wright)82
279. Following note sent to Japanese Embassy March 16, is repeated for your information and for informal communication to the Foreign Office.
[Page 515][Here follows the memorandum printed on page 512.]
In communicating this memorandum for the information of the Foreign Office you will take occasion to say that this Government greatly regrets that it has proved impossible to receive the comments and suggestions of the British and French Governments upon the Japanese memorandum of March 2,83 as had been contemplated by the final paragraph of the Department’s telegram 227 of March 6, 6 p.m.84 In view, however, of the fact that the Japanese memorandum appears not to have come into the hands of the Foreign Office at either capital, and in view of the fact that Mr. Lamont’s plans permit of his remaining in Tokyo only until March 21, this Government has felt compelled to make its own reply to the Japanese Government without delay in order if possible to clear the way for Lamont to reach an understanding with the Japanese bankers before his departure from Japan. In making such a reply in its own behalf this Government has, however, endeavored to bring it into conformity with such indications as it possesses as to the views of the British and French Governments: and it ventures to hope that those Governments will find themselves in accord with the position thus taken by the American Government and will find it possible to address the Japanese Government substantially to the same effect.
[Here follow, for the Ambassador’s information, substantially the same instructions sent to the Ambassador in Japan in telegram no. 92, March 16, 4 p.m., printed supra. The telegram concludes with instructions to repeat it to Paris as no. 548 to be acted upon as in London.]