793.94/4041: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 7—11:45 a.m.]
51. My telegram No. 47, February 6, 7 p.m.82
To advise the Department more fully of the part played by our staff in connection with Japanese proposition: the movement began as a result of some excellent work by Neville and McIlroy, both of whom urged upon persons with whom they had contact, the importance of Japan in her own interests, accepting more definitely the propositions contained in your telegram No. 34, February 1, 3 p.m.83 Neville was advised that the Japanese authorities felt their negotiations in connection with the propositions contained in our telegram No. 47, February 6, 7 p.m., had best be worked out in Shanghai. The proposition was made by Nagai, after full consultation with other departments which were working on the same general plan. Admiral Toyoda had also developed it in discussion with Lindley. For effect on Chinese the Japanese may prefer it should not appear as their suggestion and may want to call it ours or an international suggestion. This might be important.