740.0011 P. W./212
The Netherlands Chargé (Van Boetzelaer) to the Secretary of State 90
Sir: The Netherland Government has been informed that the British Ambassador, upon instructions from London, suggested to Your Excellency that, as regards the Far East, a declaration should be made by the United States, the British and the Netherland Governments jointly or separately on analogous lines.
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Netherland Government wishes to support the démarche undertaken to this effect by Lord Halifax.
My Government suggests that the following formula be chosen for such declaration:
“Should the Japanese make any further major move to the South the interests of the United States, the British Empire and the Netherlands would be jointly and identically affected.”
In case the United States should find it advisable to choose a different formula, Her Majesty’s Government will be glad to take any suggestion in consideration.91
Please accept [etc.]
- Transmitted under covering letter dated April 29 to the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck).↩
- For oral reply, on this same question, of the Secretary of State to the Australian Minister, see supra. The Department came to consider it as an answer also to this communication from the Netherland Charged on the assumption that he would be informed of the “substance of the Secretary’s comments” by Mr. Casey. Provision was made, however, for stating explicitly this assumption the next time officers of the Department talked with the Netherland Minister or the Netherland Minister Counselor (740.0011 P.W./213).↩