500.A15A5/841a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)
434. (1) It has become most urgent for the Navy Department to have the matter clarified of Japan’s position with regard to article 4, paragraph 2, of the London Naval Treaty of 1936, relating to the caliber of guns on capital ships, in view of the publicity in this country concerning the new capital ships and the short time which remains for the completion of the final plans for these ships.
(2) Last August the British Ambassador to Japan informed the British Foreign Office, you will recall, that only a direct approach on this subject might elicit a definite statement regarding the intentions of the Japanese Government and that after the return of [Page 299] Mr. Grew36 from leave of absence in November such an approach might appropriately be made. The matter should be taken up more promptly in their view, the Foreign Office replied. In response to this the British Ambassador, we understand, recommended that the subject be broached in London and not in Tokyo.
(3) Then on October 15, the British Foreign Office requested their Embassy at Washington to obtain an expression of our views in the premises. We were agreeable in principle to their putting the question to the Japanese Government, we replied, but it should be put in the name of the British Government alone, and the man on the spot would be in the best position to decide, in view of the internal domestic situation in Japan, since we were desirous of avoiding any action which might have an adverse effect on the development of major policies in that country.
(4) You reported in your despatch No. 2613 of October 27, 1936,37 that Craigie stated he had discussed this matter with Yoshida,38 who had indicated that the Japanese might be prepared to give an official assurance in writing, with a face-saving clause, that they would bind themselves to 14–inch guns. Craigie had a second conversation with Yoshida on November 11, and Grew now telegraphs that Clive39 has been informed that Yoshida said it would be unwise for him to take the subject up himself with Tokyo, and he recommended that the question be taken up as a technical matter directly with his naval attaché by the Admiralty. However, whether the Admiralty actually did make the approach to the naval attaché, no information indicating such action has been received by Clive.
(5) We are desirous of ascertaining precisely where the question lies between the British and the Japanese, whether Craigie actually agreed with Yoshida that the Japanese Naval Attaché should be approached by the Admiralty and whether such a course was pursued, before considering taking any action ourselves. You are requested to investigate the matter and to telegraph your report.