711.9412Anti-War/21
The Ambassador in Japan (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14.]
Sir: In obedience to the instructions contained in the Department’s telegram No. 42, April 12, 1928, 10 A.M.,33 I asked for an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs for Friday, April 13th, at 5 P.M. I was informed that Baron Tanaka could not see me at that hour but would see me at 4 P.M., but that I could see the Vice Minister at 5 P.M., if is [I?] so desired. I therefore took the liberty of making the appointment for four o’clock instead of five o’clock in order that I might deliver the note and other papers to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in person rather than to the Vice Minister.
I stated to Baron Tanaka that, in my opinion, this was a solemn and—I hoped it would prove to be—an historic occasion; that I was proud to be the representative of my country in delivering to Japan, as one of the six great powers of the world, a proposal for joint action toward the establishment of universal peace; that it was the earnest hope of my Government that Japan, in common with the other three great powers to whom this note was now being addressed, would give the subject matter the most careful consideration; and that our joint efforts toward the promotion of the cause of world peace would be crowned with success.
I then explained the situation so far as France is concerned, as set forth in the Department’s telegram No. 42, April 12, 1928, 10 A.M., and also called the attention of the Foreign Minister to the clause in the note expressing the desire of my Government for an [Page 29] early consideration of the note and draft treaty, and for any expression of his views. Baron Tanaka expressed himself as being in accord, in principle, with the idea embodied in the note and suggested treaty, and stated that he would give the matter careful consideration and as soon as possible would let me know his views. I said that I felt sure that he personally was in full accord with my Government in its desire to put an end to war, and I hoped he would see his way clear to joining with us, and the other four powers, in a treaty substantially as we now suggested, which, if adopted by the six powers, would have a good chance of being adopted by all the countries of the world; and he replied that I was correct in thinking that personally he was anxious to do all in his power toward securing the peace of the world, and would do all that he possibly could to that end.
I explained to the Prime Minister that my instructions were to deliver this note and enclosures to him at 5 P.M., to-day, but as his engagements did not permit him to receive me at that hour, but only at 4 P.M., I had taken the liberty of delivering the papers at four o’clock, as I wished to have the honor of handing them in person to the Foreign Minister; but that I should be glad if he would consider them as delivered at 5 P.M., the time named in my instructions, and to this he smilingly assented.
I then stated, that, as instructed by my Government, I proposed to give the note and suggested treaty to the Press this afternoon, so that they might appear in the Tokyo papers to-morrow morning, and asked whether he had any objection to this course. He replied that he had no objection.
On coming out of the room of the Minister for Foreign Affairs I met Mr. Debuchi, who asked me whether I proposed to give to the Press any of the papers I had handed to Baron Tanaka. I said that I intended to give to the Press the note and suggested Treaty, and asked if he, Mr. Debuchi, had any objection. He replied that he did not see any reason why we should not do so, but merely wanted to know—possibly, I thought, having in mind that he would give them to the Press if we did not do so.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed; see telegram No. 105, Apr. 12, 10 a.m., to the Ambassador in France, supra.↩