500.A4B/601: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 31—1:40 p.m.]
638. Department’s circular of December 29, 4 p.m.71 When I delivered text of Japanese note to the Foreign Office this morning I was informed that Matsudaira on December 29 had given them informally a copy of the note to the United States Government and likewise informally a copy of a note verbale said to have been delivered to the Department by the Japanese Ambassador at Washington at the same time as the note, the note verbale being an exposé of motives and declaration of good intentions for the future.
The Foreign Office state that the British Government are considering whether to reply to the Japanese in order to place on the record an expression of regret at the action taken. If they should decide to make this reply, the British Government would desire to refer to the note verbale delivered to the United States Government on December 29, and to be able to do this the Foreign Office would appreciate it if the Department could give a copy to the British Ambassador. The Foreign Office would likewise appreciate being informed whether the United States Government intend to reply to the Japanese note.