793.94 Conference/207: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 8—12:57 a.m.]
527. 1. The renewed invitation to Japan to participate in the Nine Power Conference was delivered to the Minister for Foreign Affairs by the Belgian Ambassador at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. As it was Sunday and no interpreter present the Ambassador was obliged to read to the Minister an impromptu summarized translation in English of the French note. Hirota replied that he would have to consult his colleagues but would give an answer at the earliest possible moment. He said he could not be optimistic that a favorable reply would be returned.
2. My Belgian colleague believes that in declining the invitation the Japanese Government will take the position that by inviting non-signatories of the Nine Power Treaty to participate, the Conference has violated article 7 of the Treaty and that Japan sees no reason to enter into “full and frank communication” with non-contracting parties.
Repeated to Nanking.