793.94/4955: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 2—1:33 p.m.]
130. I was informed for my “strictly confidential and personal information only” from source mentioned in my 129, April 2, 4 p.m.,40 [Page 661] that Ambassador Matsudaira late yesterday afternoon informed the Foreign Secretary “in substance” that if League of Nations took action indicating interference in the Manchurian situation Japan would regard it as an unfriendly act and withdraw abruptly from the League.
My informant added there might conceivably follow from the statement of Japanese Ambassador a situation suggesting the need of invocation of article 16 of the Covenant, with a maturer reflection by England of her far-flung undefended Far Eastern possessions and her policy of naval disarmament in recent years.
Further reflections were made along the line indicated in the last sentence of paragraph number 1 of my confidential telegram 125.41