894.6363/146: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)
428. Your 614, December 7, 7 p.m., and previous.
1. Department had been given to understand from petroleum interests that the British and American companies in sending representatives to the Far East desired of their Governments official assistance in making contacts with Japanese officials, whereupon said representatives would present their own case. Items in your 603, November 27, 7 p.m., tend to confirm that impression, especially your statement that Orde seemed doubtful of the wisdom of making in the present circumstances a further official démarche at Tokyo. Department, however, has received from Tokyo a telegram dated December 8 reporting that Clive had received from London a telegram dated December 5 “to the effect that the British Foreign Office has discussed the general oil situation with a representative of the State Department now in London who has concurred in” certain views specified; that Clive is instructed to renew representations to the Foreign Office in case Grew will take similar action; and that Clive has prepared a lengthy provisional aide-mémoire the contents of which he has made known to Grew in confidence and which Grew reports to Department. Examination of this makes it clear that British Government envisages another démarche in advance of special efforts by the representatives of petroleum interests.
From all of the above it would seem clear that there has not yet been arrived at a clear, common understanding of what is envisaged or intended. Department therefore desires that as promptly as possible there be communicated orally and informally to Foreign Office the substance of the foregoing and that in so doing you point out that, in the absence of explanatory comment in regard to the reasons for [Page 783] making what would appear to be a material change in strategy, the Department doubts the wisdom of proceeding along the lines indicated in the Foreign Office’s instruction to Clive, as reported to us; that on basis of such information as is now available the Department is of the opinion that, with the exception of an oral and informal paving of the way, perhaps by means of a joint call at the Japanese Foreign Office by the senior officers in Tokyo of the British, Netherland and American Governments, at which time oral expression could be given to the seriousness with which the concerned governments view the situation under discussion, no further démarche should be made until the special representatives of the principally interested oil companies now in the Far East, shall have had an opportunity, thus introduced, to confer with officials of the Japanese Government; and that, with a view to facilitating and expediting the exchange of views between and among the British, Netherland and American Governments and of safeguarding confidential communication, the Department continues of the opinion that in this matter the British Foreign Office is, for reasons already given, the logical place for central clearing point.
2. We have informed Grew of our intention to communicate through you with British Foreign Office and have instructed him to await instructions.
3. Toward clarifying our understanding of the position and proposal of the British Foreign Office, Department would appreciate being informed why the Foreign Office favors a further démarche, such as Clive has under preparation, at this time.
4. In order that there may be no ground for any suspicion that we are mixing naval conference matters and other business, Dooman should no longer appear in this matter except within the Embassy.
5. Department feels that Embassy’s 614 does not convey to Department a clear impression of the conversation to which it related. Please endeavor to get clear statements of Foreign Office views and give special attention to reporting adequately and as soon as possible on the conversation above directed.