701.9493/80: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 9—7:35 a.m.]
220. Department’s 167, September 27, 4 p.m.86 The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs told me today that the British Ambassador had made inquiries in regard to the Japanese attitude towards the decision of the Italian Government to raise their Legation at China to an Embassy. The Foreign Office, I was told, replied that the Japanese [Page 541] Government had had this proposal under advisement for 10 years; that appropriations to that end had been obtained from the Diet, but the Government had not yet considered the time ripe for such a step; further, the Japanese Government would not be influenced by the Italian decision into any precipitate action, but would appoint an Ambassador only when it felt that the situation warranted it.
Repeated to Peiping.