894.6363/300: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
164. Your 264, December 19, 6 p.m., and 265, December 22, 8 p.m., and 266, December 23, 7 p.m.
1. Department approves of procedures suggested in concluding sentence paragraph 5 of your telegram 264 and you may so proceed if and when your British colleague is prepared to take similar action.
For your guidance: The Department has not shared the view of your British colleague that there should be made “strong” diplomatic representations, for the reason inter alia that Standard-Vacuum, we understand, and Shell, we presume, have not decided on a definitive course of action in the event that the assurances desired are not forthcoming. It has seemed to us (see Department’s 160, December 17, 2 p.m.) and we continue of that opinion, that circumspection is called for in the tone of representations until the companies are prepared to make such decision. Apparently, however, Department and Embassy are now in agreement as to the tone of the representations which should next be made to the Japanese Government.
In view of the foregoing and after further careful consideration of the points raised in your telegrams under reference we do not, at least at this time, favor the making of representations to the Japanese Ambassadors at Washington and London.
2. Your 266, December 23, 7 p.m., just received. You are authorized, as per Department’s telegram 160, December 17, 2 p.m., to proceed in accordance with the view expressed in paragraph 2 of your telegram 266.