793.94112/25: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 4—9:10 a.m.]
579. Your 375, September 3, 10 a.m. I venture to suggest possible error in transmission of my 573, September 2, 7 p.m., as the Foreign Secretary did not state that the American views would be communicated to “British shipping” nor did I intend to convey such a meaning. I did not gather from my conversation with the Foreign Secretary that he contemplates any publicity of the United States Government’s views nor any specific publicity of the measures agreed upon. It was pointed out at the Foreign Office yesterday, however, that once the policy is put into effect publicity cannot be avoided as to the decision [Page 446] and that later it will probably be necessary to issue a statement. I had understood from the Foreign Secretary that in order to put into effect such measures as those indicated it would be necessary to consult with Board of Trade officials. The Foreign Office has since informed me that confidential weekly informatory summaries of important matters are required to be sent to the Dominions.
I likewise venture to suggest a possible error in transmission in second sentence second paragraph my 569, August 31, 6 p.m., which read “he did not suggest joint action of the three powers but said that if we could all agree on the principle that we might then make separate approaches to the Japanese” (refer final portion of second paragraph, numbered section 1, Department’s 374, September 1, 7 p.m.).