500.A4B/618

The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Laboulaye)

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s note of January 2, 1935, in which you quote a communication received from your Government with respect to the notification by Japan of intention to terminate the Washington Naval Treaty. The statement that the French Government would not have been able in any case to agree to a continuance (réconduction) of the present Treaty is a source of surprise and disappointment. For its part, this Government has indicated regret at the prospective termination of the Treaty, and has fully set forth its views in the statement which I made on the occasion of Japanese notification on December 29, last, as well as in Mr. Davis’ speech in London on December 6, copies of which I take pleasure in attaching.

I should be glad, however, to have you thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his courtesy in frankly informing me of the French Government’s views, of which I have taken careful note.

Accept [etc.]

Cordell Hull