793.94/11285
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
The British Ambassador called to see me this morning in order that I might give him the reply33 of this Government to the aide-mémoire of November 18 [17] of the British Embassy with regard to the possible tender of good offices by Great Britain and the United States to Japan and China.
I likewise read to Sir Ronald Lindsay appropriate portions of Mr. Grew’s cable of November 17 [18], reporting his conversation with the British Ambassador in Tokyo concerning this same matter.34
The Ambassador read over twice, very attentively, the aide-mémoire which I handed him, asked certain clarifications of the [Page 698] points contained therein and expressed himself as entirely satisfied as to the wisdom of the course therein indicated. He emphasized the fact that in his own belief it would be preferable to divorce this present step, if it proved to be feasible, completely from the Brussels Conference. I stated in reply that it seemed to me that had this possibility developed some ten days ago and had there been ample time for our two Governments to determine the basis for such possible tender of good offices and the procedure involved therein in the event of a favorable reply from Japan, it would have been helpful if the Conference when it recessed had been able to take note of the fact that good offices were under way. I said that in my judgment that would have avoided the impression which will be created inevitably in certain circles throughout the world that the Conference has recessed without practical achievement and solely with a reaffirmation of principles. I said, however, that in view of the shortness of time before the next session of the Conference, it seemed to me altogether impossible that the Conference could be in a position to take note of any prior agreement and that for that reason as well it was of the utmost importance that the whole possibility be regarded by the British Government and our own as of the most highly confidential character since any suspicion of this possibility would jeopardize any successful result. Finally, I made it clear that it was my own personal belief that the chances of any approach along these lines was for the time being excessively remote.