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

894.52/55: Telegram

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

Tokyo, March 9, 1937—5 p.m.
[Received March 9—6:56 a.m.]

83. Embassy’s 80, March 6, noon; Department’s 43, March 8, 6 p.m.—perpetual leaseholds.

1. Foreign Office informs me that our draft note and letter will be submitted together with the British documents to the Privy Council March 17 and that signature and exchange will take place on the 18th or 19th.⁴⁸

2. I have filed no reservation to the effect that any right of American leaseholders which may be legally enforceable cannot be compromised by this settlement. There seems to be nothing to be gained by such action particularly as the Japanese Government proposes to introduce a law which would invalidate all perpetual leaseholds on April 1, 1942. Furthermore, the Japanese Government would not accept a formal reservation of that nature.

3. The Department’s press release is appreciated by the Foreign Office.

Grew

48. Signature took place March 25; Executive Agreement Series No. 104, or 50 Stat. 1611.