893.0146/787: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—1:32 p.m.]
438. Department’s 154, May 16, 6 p.m.; our 355, May 20, 5 p.m.61
- 1.
- The Foreign Office today made informal reply on an undated sheet
of paper to our informal representations of May 20. The following is
our translation:
- “A. Although the Imperial Government understands the intentions of the American Government, the position taken in the representations made by the Imperial Government in September of last year to the countries concerned with regard to doing away with armaments and the withdrawal of Far East boats and troops stationed in China by belligerent powers must be strictly maintained at the present time as it was then. From this point of view the Imperial Government reserves the right to take indicated action.
- B. It is stated in the American communication that Italy also expressed agreement. According to the verified information of this Government, however, the above, at least insofar as Shanghai is concerned, is contrary to the facts.”
- 2.
- The Foreign Office made to us the following further observations
orally:
“That the Japanese Government was displeased at the action of the American Admiral in taking action to obtain the agreement of the commanders of the European forces in the vicinity of Shanghai without first consulting with the commander of the Japanese forces; that the Japanese Government were surprised that Admiral Hart61a should have acted contrary to precedent in not first consulting with the senior naval officer, who is the Japanese Admiral.”
- 3.
- The Foreign Office, when asked, stated that it would prefer not to put these oral observations into writing.
Repeated to Shanghai.