August 30, 1941.
We suggest:
That as between the two^x*afts, the B draft be given
preference;
That mention of the Uni£#u^States be avoided;
That objection to Japanese encroachment be not limited
to "the southwest Pacific/area";
That express mention of "war" be avoided;
That communication, when made, be confidential to the
Japanese Government and, as to "]^ext at least, be not made
public.
We suggest that in place of warning against "encroach-
ment in the southwest Pacific" the warning be made more
broad, be made a warning asa4nst continuance in and expansion
of a policy and program of conquest by force.
His Majesty's Government in the United
Kingdom have watched with grave conoern successive
encroachments of the Japanese armed forces in Indo-
china and the accumulating evidenoe of an intention
on the part of the Japanese Government to oontinue this
policy of expansion by force or threat of force into
countries bordering on Eritish territories. They
cannot disregard the plain threat to security of
those territories which such a policy would constitute.
His Majesty's Government therefore, who
have for their part no aggressive intentions either
against these countries or against Japan herself,
feels that the time has oome for most complete candour.
They accordingly find it necessary, in the interests of
peace, to let the Japanese Government know that any
farther Japanese encroachment in the South-West Pacific
area would compel Eis Majesty's Government to take
counter measures even though these might lead to war
between Great Britain and Japan.
August 2»th 1941
His Majesty's Government are aware of the
communication whioh President Roosevelt made to the
Japanese Ambassador on august 17th regarding the
concern of the United States at Japanese military
activities in Indo China and the steps whioh the
United States Government would be compelled to take
if the Japanese Government pursued a similar policy
in regard to neighbouring countries.       His Majesty's
Government shares the concern of the United States
Government and cannot disregard plain threat to the
seourity of British territories, whioh such a policy
on the part of Japan would constitute.
His Majesty's Government therefore, who
have for their part no aggressive intentions either
against countries bordering on British territories or
against Japan herself, feel it necessary in the interest
of peace to let the Japanese Government know that any
further Japanese encroachment in the South-Y.'est Pacific
area would compel His Majesty's Government to take
counter measures even though these might lead to war
between Great Britain and Japan.
.August 29th 1941.
Illl I I'M