793.94/1406a supp.: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Warren )

6. My telegram No. 1, January 2, 6 p.m.2

The Japanese Chargé d’Affaires speaking ostensibly in a purely personal way laid before me yesterday his difficulties in advising his Government as to the action to be taken in regard to the cancellation of the Lansing-Ishii notes, … The Chargé d’Affaires asked whether the cancellation might perhaps be postponed until the coming into force of the Conference treaties. He added that this suggestion had been informally discussed with you and had received your approval.

I explained my view that the cancellation has already been effected by mutual agreement; but that to avoid creating embarrassment for the Japanese Government at this juncture I should be willing to consider postponing for a time the public announcement of the fact. I pointed out, however, that this postponement must be limited by the necessity for our submitting in the reasonably near future the list of our international commitments with regard to China, which list could not include the exchange of notes in question.

The Chargé d’Affaires called attention to the danger that his Government might incur criticism by suppressing for any considerable period of time the announcement of the accomplished fact, and returned to the suggestion that the cancellation itself might be postponed.

I indicated that this would not be possible but that the utmost I could do in deference to the situation of the Japanese Cabinet would be to consider postponing the announcement.

I should appreciate your comment upon this matter from the viewpoint that, while not wishing to force the Japanese Government [Page 456] into a position of unnecessary embarrassment, I cannot surrender or compromise the position of this Government with regard to the cancellation of the notes. …

Hughes
  1. Not printed.