793.94/3469: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9—9:50 a.m.]
7. Foreign Office has at noon today handed the following communiqué to press correspondents:
“His Majesty’s Government stand by the policy of the open door for international trade in Manchuria which is guaranteed by the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington. Since recent events in Manchuria the Japanese representative on the Council of the League of Nations stated on October 13th17 that Japan was the champion in Manchuria of the principle of equal opportunity and of the open door for the economic activities of all nations. Further, on December 28th the Japanese Prime Minister stated18 that Japan would adhere to the open-door policy and would welcome foreign participation and cooperation in Manchurian enterprises. In view of these statements His Majesty’s Government does not consider it necessary to address any formal note to the Japanese Government on the lines of the American Government’s note, but the Japanese Ambassador has been requested to obtain confirmation of these assurances from his Government.”
- For brief report of this statement, see telegram No. 196, October 14, 1931, 9 a.m., from the Consul at Geneva, Foreign Relations, 1931, vol. iii, p. 189.↩
- See aide-mémoire of January 11 from the British Embassy, p. 22.↩