Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

711.417/1133: Telegram

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

Tokyo, May 15, 1941—8 p.m.
[Received May 15—3 p.m.]

683. Embassy’s 431, March 19, 6 p.m.,¹³ Fur Seal Convention.

1. A note from the Foreign Minister dated May 9 states that the Japanese Government is unable to consider withdrawing notice of abrogation of Fur Seal Convention but is prepared to conclude a new convention on the basis of the principles enunciated at the time that notice was given. The note asserts that seals frequent waters adjacent to Japan, denies that fish and other marine matter consumed by them is of little or no commercial importance to Japan and advocates a return to pelagic sealing in order to reduce herds to 850,000. Full translation of the note will go forward by next pouch.¹⁴

2. Although the Foreign Office was requested to call in a member of the Embassy staff as soon as it had completed study of our note of March 17,¹⁵ the reply above summarized was received without prior indication that study of the subject had been completed.

Grew

13. Not printed, but see footnote 11, p. 910.
14. Despatch not printed, but see telegram No. 703, infra.
15. See Department’s telegram No. 164, supra.