741.9411/217
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s previous despatch No. 964 of September 7, 1934, and telegrams relative to the rumored revival of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. As of interest in this connection there is hereto appended a translation of statement made by Foreign Minister Hirota in the House of Representatives Budget Committee on January 30th of this year.98 This statement, made many months before the rumor was first heard, is of some significance inasmuch as in it the Foreign Minister clearly expressed regret at the passing of the Alliance and stated, in effect, that he intended to cooperate with Great Britain in the spirit of the Alliance. This would appear to lend some weight to the Embassy’s statement that “observers do not believe that there is a written alliance, but do believe that there is some sort of tacit agreement”.
The only newspaper editorial comment on the rumored alliance to appear since my previous despatch was in the Hochi on September 1st. A translation is hereto appended.98 The Hochi admits that there are good reasons for the talk about revival of the Alliance, but considers that a revival is impossible. At the same time it advocates Anglo-Japanese cooperation “to maintain peace in the Far East”, and hopes that Japan and Britain will come to a closer understanding.
Respectfully yours,