Minutes.
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At a recent interview in Tokyo the
Japanese Minister for Foreign Affaire told His
Majesty's Ambassador that negotiations with the
United States had now been proceeding since last
April| and that his experience in such matters
made him pesslmlttic about the outcome of so dilatory
a process.    In the 1'rivy Council impatience was now
taking the place of the hopes originally placed in
the discussions, old it was therefore highly
desirable to discover eome way out before feeling
became too exacerbated.   Matters were being discussed
which were of the utmost concern to British interests
and Mr. To jo said he v/as therefore somewhat surprised
that His Majesty's Government were taking no part in
the discussions.   While he could understand that in
the early stages we might prefer to have matters in
the hands of the United States Government, a point had
now beer, reached whore a breakdown might have reper-
cussions upon British interests.    The Minister said he
had a strong impression that, for reasons best known to
themselves, the United States Government were
deliberately dragging out the negotiations.    If this
were so it would of course bo impossible for the
Japanese Government to continue them.
Speaking for himself, Sir Kobert Craigie
told the Japanese foreign Minister that he felt buts
that there had been no desire in any quarter
delibcrutely to drag out the negotiations.   But as he
understood the position, the United States Government
had b«en unable to elicit sufficiently definite
assurances and undertakings in regard to Japan's
future/
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future intentions, end thia might lead to a hitch.
The objective under discussion was an ambitious
one - namely, the settlement of the situation as a
whole - and it was obvious that a task of this
magnitude would require time as well as ratience on
both sides.   As regards the attitude of His Majesty's
Government towards the negotiations, air Hobert
Craigie suggested that it was one of helpful
expectancy, and that while the Foreign Secretary was
desirous of seeing a settlement reached which would
be just to all the parties concerned, he was equally
anxious not to intervene in any manner likely to
hamper the discussions between the United States end
Japan.
Upon receipt of the above report of his
interview with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Sir
Robert Graigie was instructed to speak to him as
follows.
Although His Majesty's Government are not
fully acquainted with the details of the conversations
which huvc been taking place, they are aware that the
Unxtea iitatoa OrovernNBt have been seeking a oasis of
aiscusslon wi Ui ttie oap&neso Government towards a
general settlement in the tfar Kast.   The British
tioverniaent believe such ¦ settlement to be in their
own best Interests as well no those of Japan and it
iiz their earnest desire that it should be achieved.
It cannot be expected however that all the giving
3houo.d be on the British side, and no advantage is
seen in entering upon negotiations unless some basis
for/
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for discussion can be agreed upon in advance which
establishes principles upon which agreement will be
sought.   SIM British Oovorwiisnt have been content
to leave this part of the proceedings in the hands
of the United States Government who are well aware
of the British position.   Jon-over the United Statue
Government have assured the iiritish v>ovurniaent (and
it is believed ti.at they -iavo so informed the Japanese
Goverraent) that should uotuul negotiations become
possible the British Government will at once be
consulted.   At that point the British Government will
be very ready to collaborate with the United States
and Japanese Governments in seeking a solution of
their joint probleios*
3ir H. Graigle was further authorised,at
his own discretion, to urge upon the Japanese Government
the advantage of a supreme effort to reach agreement
with the United Litates, as against the desperate ris&s
to Japan of allowing a situation to develop in which
it might no longer be possible to control the issue of
peace or war.
BRITISH I£KiBA3SY,
WASHINGTON, D. C.f
liovember 11th, 19W.«