Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume I

500.A4B/588: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

Tokyo, December 19, 1934—7 p.m.
[Received December 19—7:18 a.m.]

280. This morning the Privy Council in Plenary Session gave unanimous approval to the Government’s decision to abrogate the Washington Naval Treaty and so advised the Emperor. The draft instructions to Saito,¹² I understand, will be submitted to the Cabinet either December 21 or 22, but when the formal notice will be conveyed to the Department is not yet decided.

It is my impression that Hirota desires to delay, if possible, the formal notice of abrogation until after the adjournment of the present conversations in London in order to avoid the charge that they were disrupted by Japan’s action.

Grew

12. Hirosi Saito, Japanese Ambassador to the United States.