| I 1
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Ittlr 28th. 1939.
M©« 831
My Lord,
I have the honour with reference to my
tele graft Bo* 329 of July 22nd, to enclose herein
for purposes of record the text of the letter
addressed by the Secretary of State to Senator
Plttman In reply to the enquiry of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee as to whether the
Senator's proposal to Impose an embargo on exports
to Japan was compatible with United States treaty
engagements•
2* The text of Senator Vandenberg'a
resolution urging the abrogation of the 1911 Treaty
between the United States and Japan and the re-
assembly of the Brussels Conference is also enclosed
together with a copy of Mr* Hull's letter regarding
this resolution*
3* Senator Vandenbsrg's resolution was to have,
been discussed by the Foreign Relations Committee
on July 26th and the newspapers seemed generally to
anticipate that that section of it dealing with the
abrogation of the 1911 Treaty would be approved
although it was expected that the proposal to reassemble
the Brussels Conference would be shelved* When,
however, the Committee met, Senator Vandenberg proposed
that In the light of the latest developments in the
Far Bast and in particular of the Anglo-Japanese
negotiations/
fbo Right Honourable,
The Viscount Halifax* K» G«,
etc.,        etc., etc* RCL:Vfll,MjFRHM:CL
g 8 •
negotiations* action should be suspended for the
tlM being*   This vraa agreed to out Almost
/        Immediately afterwards aa reported in my' telegram
/       Bo* 335, the Secretary of State announced that he,
Independently of any action by the Senate, had
decided to give the Japanese Government notice of
the intention of the United States Government to
abrogate the Treaty*
jfe*"     I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect^
Ify Lord,
Xour Ivordahlp1 a moat obedient,
humble servant*
(fi@D) H* C* LIKDSAY