894.6363/154: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
Washington, December 20, 1934—8
p.m.
210. Your 274, December 13, 2 p.m.
- 1.
- American Embassy, London, on December 18 discussed orally with Foreign Office the subject of further representations to the [Page 794] Japanese Government. Embassy’s telegram of December 18 to Department states inter alia “Foreign Office prefer that Clive and Grew, or any high ranking officials of the Embassies, should make an early visit at the Tokyo Foreign office very much as outlined by Grew” (see paragraph 6, your 274, December 13, 2 p.m.); that Foreign Office is of the opinion that, if, in discussion with Embassy officials, the Japanese Government remains adamant in its position, it would not be wise to bring the special representatives of the oil interests into direct contact with the Japanese Government; that Foreign Office is apprehensive of any threat being advanced by the oil interests to the Japanese Government if British, American, and Dutch interests are not agreed beforehand that such a threat can eventually be satisfactorily implemented; that Foreign Office is, nevertheless, prepared to authorize Clive to state, in his discretion, at conclusion of proposed discussion, if Japanese attitude makes such suggestion feasible, that if Japanese officials desire to discuss the matter with the special representatives of the British oil interests now in Shanghai, the British Embassy would undertake to so inform them.
- 2.
- Department suggests that you confer with your British colleague with a view to obtaining a detailed understanding of the views of the British Foreign Office and of the exact procedure it now envisages. If, thereafter, you continue of the opinion as expressed in paragraph 6 of your 274, December 13, 2 p.m., and if the American oil interests so desire, you are authorized, provided your British colleague takes similar action, to proceed along the lines suggested by you in paragraphs 6 and 8 of your telegram under reference.
- 3.
- Inasmuch as officials of the Japanese Government have intimated that future governmental representations should include more concrete evidence, and presumably statistical data, in regard to the economic burden which the Petroleum Law would place upon foreign oil interests, which evidence the oil interests, if so inclined, could best supply, and because of other factors in the situation, the Department continues of the opinion that it would be advantageous for special representatives of the oil interests to confer, directly, with Japanese officialdom. Department, however, leaves for joint decision by you and by your British colleague the question whether mention should be made, in your contemplated discussions with Japanese officials, of the special representatives of the oil interests now in Shanghai.
- 4.
- Department is informing London Embassy in above sense, for communication to Foreign Office.
- 5.
- Report action taken by telegraph.
Hull