511.4A2A/894

The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State

No. 3970

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Department’s instruction No. 1721 of May 8, 1939, (file 511.4A2A/) relating to the withdrawal by the Government of Japan of the mandate of its representative on the Opium Advisory Committee and the notice given by Mr. Kusama of his inability to accept appointment by the League Council as a member of the Permanent Central Opium Board.

In a recent conversation between a member of the Embassy staff and the Chief of the Treaty Bureau, Mr. Mitani stated that the Japanese Government would no longer cooperate with the League of Nations’ Opium Advisory Committee and that a Japanese national would not accept appointment as a member of the Permanent Central Opium Board. On the other hand Mr. Mitani said that the Japanese Government considered the Narcotics Limitation Convention of 1931 binding in every way and that it would continue to fulfill all of its obligations under that convention.

Respectfully yours,

Eugene H. Dooman