500.A15A4/1749: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 9—4:30 p.m.]
561. My 559, March 9, 1 p.m. While the final sentence of the Japanese communication is extremely vague a responsible member of the [Page 28] delegation explains that it is intended to convey the intention of the Japanese Government to make no commitments as to any phase of disarmament until the situation in Asia has again become normal. In the words of their acting chief delegate53 “I am staying here reserving Japan’s position”. Therefore, it would seem that at least during the life of this Conference Japan will not be disposed to accept any measures of disarmament.
We feel that your thought should be given to the situation created for us by the Japanese attitude. We have no reason to believe that the Japanese delegation here has received other instructions than the mere text of this communication and inasmuch as their attitude towards disarmament questions has such an important influence on our attitude you may think it desirable to ask Grew54 whether he can get an elucidation of their position. If the interpretation given to us here is correct we feel that in the absence of more specific instructions from you we should govern ourselves in the forthcoming conversations with extreme caution.
We shall have to face the question of whether our Government can recommend for ratification any document touching disarmament to which Japan is not a party and explore the future possibilities with the idea of governing our conduct in this conference.
The foregoing is not submitted with request for specific instructions but merely to indicate how the problem presents itself here in order that you may have it in mind.
We hope to be in a position some time next week in the light of the forthcoming conversations to submit detailed views as to how the problem presents itself. It is also to be remembered that the Japanese attitude will undoubtedly affect the attitude of Russia.