500.A15a3/809: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 1—11:35 a.m.]
186. Following telegram dated April 1, noon, received from Castle:
“I was just told by Yoshida14 that instructions to the Japanese delegation will probably go tonight. Cabinet is meeting. From conversation [Page 100] with Count Makino15 last night I believe agreement will be practically accepted. Of course I could not get the details from Yoshida, but he said that wonderful work had been done during the past few days by Shidehara, who now only dreaded reaction of the Navy. Insistence that agreement continue only until another conference is held, at which time the right is reserved by Japan to ask 70 percent, will be the only change, I think.
This morning’s Nichi Nichi declares that threatening note was transmitted to Hamaguchi and that the conclusion is drawn from comment thereon that this was a joint démarche by the United States and England. Had this been published several days ago, it might have been disastrous, and would have been deeply resented. It is fortunate that this was not done, and even more so that the action was not attributed to me.”