862i.01/60: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Bell) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—3:21 p.m.]
598. Your 417, November 9, 4 p.m.5 My 585, November 12, 5 p.m.6 I have just received the following memorandum marked “Confidential” from Foreign Office, dated today:
“The Department of Foreign Affairs of Japan has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a memorandum of the United States Embassy under date of the 12th instant relative to the status of the Island of Yap.
According to the definite understanding of the Japanese Government the Supreme Council of May 7th, 1919, came to a final decision to place under the mandate of Japan the whole of the German islands north of the Equator. The decision involves no reservation whatever in regard to the Island of Yap.
For the above-mentioned reasons the Department of Foreign Affairs begs to inform the United States Embassy that the Japanese Government would not be able to consent to any proposition which, reversing the decision of the Supreme Council, would exclude the Island of Yap from the territory committed to their charge.”