611.946/421

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Ballantine) of a Conversation With the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy (Suma)

Mr. Suma took the occasion of a call at his request to discuss other matters to say that he would like to ask Mr. Ballantine very privately whether he had any information in regard to developments in connection with proposals for imposition in this country of embargoes and boycotts upon articles of trade with Japan. Mr. Ballantine said that he knew nothing in regard to the matter other than what was reported in the press, which he assumed that Mr. Suma had already seen, in regard to the organization of private groups advocating such action. Mr. Suma said that he was familiar with all that had appeared in the press on the matter and that the Embassy was following the Congressional Record carefully, but he wondered whether this question had been brought before the Department.

Mr. Ballantine replied that, as Mr. Suma knew, these were matters which came within the province of the legislative branch of the Government. Mr. Suma said he understood this, but he observed that the Japanese Diet was now in session and that various interpellations were being made by members of that body to the ministers of state on matters affecting Japan’s international relations. Mr. Ballantine remarked that in a legislative body various types of proposals were brought up for consideration but that did not mean that all of them were acted upon. Mr. Ballantine made it clear, however, that he could not undertake to gauge what the prospects were for Congressional action in this matter.