756.94/42: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:48 a.m.]
1005. Asked yesterday whether the House of Commons could be assured that the British Government did not intend to leave solely to Japan the maintenance of peace in the waters of the Netherlands East Indies, in the event of the Netherlands themselves becoming a theater of war, Mr. Butler27 replied:
“So far as my noble friend28 is aware, the Japanese Government have made no claim to be solely responsible for the maintenance of peace in the waters of the Netherlands East Indies. In a statement to the press, the Japanese Foreign Minister said that the Japanese Government could not but be deeply concerned over any development consequent upon the aggravation of the war in Europe which might affect the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies. I need hardly say that upon this question His Majesty’s Government hold similar views.”