Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume IV

793.94 Conference/82: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, October 22, 1937—10 a.m.
[Received October 22—1:15 a.m.]

487. Our 484, October 21, 10 a.m.

1. Yoshizawa²¹ informed Dooman²² yesterday informally and in strict confidence that, so far as the Foreign Office is concerned, decision has been definitely taken to decline the invitation to the Conference. He stated that the reply would be drafted today and would then be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, and that if a special meeting of the Cabinet were to be called today the reply would be forthcoming today.

2. He made the comment that a favorable reply could not be expected so long as the invitation did not specify that the Conference does not arise out of the League resolution and the American Government’s announcement of October 6.

Repeated to Nanking.

Grew

21. Seijiro Yoshizawa, Director of the American Affairs Bureau, Japanese Foreign Office.
22. Eugene H. Dooman, Counselor of Embassy in Japan.