894.24/1626
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)95
Under instruction from the Under Secretary, Mr. Hornbeck asked Mr. Hall to call at Mr. Acheson’s office this afternoon; and, Mr. Hall having come, Mr. Acheson informed Mr. Hall of steps which the American Government expects to take vis-à-vis Japan. When Mr. Acheson had concluded, Mr. Hornbeck asked Mr. Hall whether he could inform us what steps the British Government intends to take. Mr. Hall replied that his Government expected to denounce certain commercial treaties; that it expected to “tighten controls” of exports and imports; but he did not know what their intentions were with regard to freezing; and that they would ask the Dutch to get “right into line”. Mr. Acheson asked for details about trade controls and mentioned certain features of our theory and practice. Mr. Hall did not elucidate. Mr. Hall stated that the United Kingdom trade with Japan was no longer important in volume but that the trade of the Dominions and Colonies with Japan was important.
On the whole, what Mr. Hall said was inconclusive and not very comprehensive.
Comment: In the light of this conversation and the preceding recent conversations which I have had with Mr. Hall on the subject of coordination of U. S. and British plans and procedures, I am of the impression that the British Government has rather vague and rather limited intentions as regards economic pressures against Japan, and that the British Government’s chief interests as regards such conversations is to find out what this Government has in contemplation and have itself in position to offer to this Government suggestions or advice.
- Noted by the Under Secretary of State (Welles).↩