500.A15a3/819: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 7:35 p.m.]
195. The reply of the Japanese Government was presented by the delegation at a meeting with the American and the British delegations this afternoon. It was substantially a complete acceptance of the compromise agreement submitted to Tokyo. The reply was accompanied by a note from the Japanese Government which was very good-spirited and considerate, and the British feel, as do we, that they have acted in the finest of spirit in the entire matter. Another meeting at 11 tomorrow was asked for by Wakatsuki in order that further details, evidently of minor character, might be discussed. After that meeting a full report of the settlement with the Japanese will be sent you.
Both the British and the French seem hopeful and encouraged, and negotiations between them are proceeding actively. Since last week there has been a change in the entire spirit of the Conference, and it now seems that even though the French and the Italians cannot be included in a five-power agreement at the present time, matters in which they are concerned could be left so that there would be a very good prospect of their prompt inclusion; it looks at present, however, as though they will be included in the settlement now.
Adjournment of the plenary meeting was made owing to the feeling of all of us that the negotiations between the British and the French were so hopeful that it would be advisable that they be given, without a public statement, a few days more, as in that time they [Page 101] may be able to come to an agreement which could be announced simultaneously with the Japanese result.
Tomorrow morning Briand is coming to see me, and I shall then give the President’s message to him.