500.A15A5/806
The British Assistant Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Craigie) to the First Secretary of the American Embassy in the United Kingdom (Johnson)7
Dear Johnson: In order that your Government may be kept informed of developments in regard to our naval conversations with other Powers I am writing to let you know that on 3rd April last a Communication was addressed by us to the Japanese Chargé d’Affaires stating that in the event of the Japanese Government wishing to offer any observations on the text of the London Naval Treaty 1936 His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom would be glad to receive them and furnish any explanations which it might be in their power to give. At the same time the hope was expressed that after careful reflection the Japanese Government might be able to see their way to accede to the Treaty.
On June 29th Mr. Fujii communicated to the Foreign Office a written reply to our note of 3rd April to the effect that under the present conditions the Japanese Government had no intention of acceding to the London Naval Treaty 1936. He was informed that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom would naturally receive this communication with regret and earnestly hoped that a change of conditions would permit of Japanese accession in the future. It was explained that His Majesty’s Government fully understood the particular difficulties of the Japanese Government in this matter and had no desire to press them unduly.
Yours sincerely,
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in his despatch No. 2335, July 10; received July 22.↩