893.51/5899

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)

Mr. Lamont called me this morning on the telephone and, after making some inquiries with regard to the arrangements which are being made for Prince Konoye67 to attend the Harvard-Yale boat race, inquired whether there was any chance whatever that I would be in New York and make it possible for him and me to have a conversation before he sails for London on June 20. I replied that I had had the matter in mind since he had raised the question on June 9; that I knew of nothing which would require my going to New York before June 20 and that if I went it would have to be especially for the purpose of talking with him. He said that he hoped very much that I would come, as it would be difficult for him to come to Washington without occasioning all sorts of newspaper speculation. He said that he wanted to be as well informed as possible before talking with his colleagues in London about the status of the Consortium agreement. He said that the British, the French, and the Japanese groups had been and are very anxious to keep the agreement alive. [Page 392] At that point I interrupted, asking: “The Japanese?” Mr. Lamont replied, “Yes indeed, they are especially anxious to.” He went on to say that the American group are not so anxious; several of the members have felt that the maintenance of the organization is a cause of useless expense and will never bring in any return; but he has felt that the thing has possibilities and has managed to keep the American members lined up, so far, on the score that the agreement was made partly from point of view of a public interest, that there is a possibility that it may some day serve a useful purpose. Hence, he would, of course, like to know whether the Government has any interest whatever in the matter and whether it is favorably or unfavorably disposed toward effort to keep the agreement alive. I said that I had been giving the matter a good deal of thought and would be glad to endeavor to see that the question be given the thought of the Administration; and that I would let him know in a few days whether it would be possible for me to come to New York or to give him any information.

Mr. Lamont expressed his appreciation. I expressed my appreciation of his helpful courtesy and effort in connection with Prince Konoye. And the conversation there ended.

S[tanley] K. H[ornbeck]
  1. Prince Fumimaro Konoye, President of the Japanese House of Peers.