790.94/57
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the Dutch Minister here called on me this morning and reported a conversation which he had held a few days ago with his chief, Secretary Colyn.
Amongst other things, the Minister said that the Dutch authorities had become very anxious about the development of what is called an Asiatic League of Nations. Colyn reported to him that the Japanese Government had appointed two generals (Hoshmoto and Yomoka) to travel about China to organize in Manchukuo, Mongolia, the Shanghai district, Indo-China and Siam groups whose purpose it is to bring about a close co-ordination with Japan, and ultimately give Japan control of the Far East. This activity, the Minister says, has been rather intense since the American recognition of Russia.
The Minister then said that information directly from Japan showed that that country has changed her policy of immediate challenge to Russia to one of delay, the idea being that it would require three or four years to establish controls in the regions named.
He also described a changing Japanese tariff policy destined to ease the relations of Japan with all the countries concerned; but he insisted that unanimous opinion at The Hague is that the Japanese [Page 2] foreign policy includes the annexation of the Philippines and the Dutch possessions.
The Minister expressed the urgent hope that England, France and the United States might find some way to co-operate and stabilize economic and political relations in the Far East.
Respectfully yours,