894.6363/254: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, March 9, 1936—5
p.m.
[Received March 9—7:46 a.m.]
[Received March 9—7:46 a.m.]
64. Embassy’s 34, February 24, 8 p.m.
- 1.
- The local representatives of the Standard and Shell interests have received telegrams from their head offices proposing that the oil interests will carry fixed maximum quantities of oil with indemnification and guarantees of future business and provided that Japanese capital finance the stock holding. Full details can be obtained from Standard Vacuum, New York. The telegram concludes: “We suggest that you have formal talk with Kurusu and Yoshino in conjunction with both Embassies to explore the foregoing”.
- 2.
- The Embassy has never yet participated directly in the oil negotiations except to introduce the special request [representatives?] for the oil interests in December 1934 and to transmit messages from one side to the other. To participate directly in the proposed conference would imply official sanction of the proposed plan.
- 3.
- The Embassy will not therefore participate in the conference unless instructed.
Grew