711.417/698
The British Ambassador (Howard) to the Secretary of State
Shi: I have the honour, on instructions from His Majesty’s Government, to inform you that the Japanese Government have recently [Page 466] notified them of their desire that a conference should be summoned to consider, and if possible to agree upon, a further extension of the Convention for the Protection of Fur Seals signed at Washington on July 7th, 1911, with such additions and modifications as may be desirable.
In bringing this fact to your notice, I have the honour to enquire whether the United States Government have also been approached in the matter by the Japanese Government, and if so, what attitude they intend to adopt towards the proposed conference.
I have [etc.]