Office of the Historian

894.6363/149: Telegram

The Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham) to the Secretary of State

London, December 11, 1934—6 p.m.
[Received December 11—4:30 p.m.]

620. Department’s 428, December 10, 8 p.m.

1.
During the conversation on December 7th with Dooman and Millard, both Orde and Randall suggested that there was possibility [Page 784] of misunderstanding arising over “paving the way”. They stated that the British oil interests recently asked for further immediate diplomatic support of the representations of their local representatives in Japan; that British oil interests here had prepared a brief, setting forth their positions vis-à-vis the Japanese; that this brief without alteration in substance, had been sent by the Foreign Office in London to Clive, who had been directed after consultation with Grew to present it informally to the Japanese Government. (Presumably this is the aide-mémoire referred to in your telegram under reference.) Orde stated that the British oil interests have not asked the British Government to assist their special representatives now in Shanghai to make contact at the present time with Japanese officials. It was the understanding of the Foreign Office that the British oil interests do not contemplate sending the special representative now in Shanghai to Japan “unless the conversations in Tokyo produce a situation which would make it worth while”.
2.
During the conversations on November 27 and on December 7 the term “démarche” was understood among all present as applicable only to action beyond what had already been taken of a formal and official character, reference being made in that connection to a desire expressed several weeks ago by the British oil interests that the British and American Governments make a joint, written, and formal protest to the Japanese Government. Orde and Randall made it clear that they construe the action which Clive has been directed to take as further informal representations.
3.
It would appear from the first sentence of the Department’s telegram under reference, and the Foreign Office statements reported above, that the British and American oil interests are not in entire agreement in regard to the course to be followed in the immediate future. In short, the American interests apparently desire that their special representatives shall be assisted forthwith by Grew to make contact with the Japanese, whereas the British oil interests apparently intend that their special representatives shall remain in Shanghai until there shall have been further, presumably favorable, developments in Tokyo.
4.
As the Department may wish to review the situation in the light of foregoing additional information, no new approach will be made to the Foreign Office [while] awaiting confirmation of your last instructions. Paragraphs 1 and 2 above have been read to Orde, who confirmed their accuracy.
Bingham