893.51/2789: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 21—2:06 p.m.]
645. My 643, April 20.14 Am unofficially informed by British Government that it is in harmony with our attitude as follows:
- 1.
- The compromise reached with the bankers of Japan by Lamont should be supported by the United States, Great Britain, and France.
- 2.
- The three Powers should word their answer so as to ask for the last time that Japan decide definitely as to its position.
In regard to the second proposition the Foreign Office observes that it thinks as we do that the Japanese will agree if the American, British, and French Governments maintain a firm attitude. In spite of the fact that it agrees that it is only for the time being that Japan will remain a creditor country, the Foreign Office believes it would be unfortunate if the Japanese were left out of the loan agreement. If the Japanese should be threatened with being left out, it [Page 532] would be best to have the threat made by the bankers rather than officially. To sum up [apparent omission] in jointly asking that Japan definitely decide, it would be better to word the message so that Japan would bear the blame of refusing to work with the other nations or to join the loan association. It would be best to make the answer as a reply to the final sentence contained in the note from Japan which you sent me in your 344, April 3. The British Government is presenting the above propositions to France without delay.
The British position in this regard appears analogous to that regarding the prolongation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. In both cases the British feel it is better to cooperate with the Japanese as allies than to take the contrary course. Situation here communicated to Embassy in France.
- Not printed.↩