{UJ. ^J-^U^Su{LoUa 7rv- to JfuXt , MINISTER. October 2nd, 1941 Discussion with Lord Halifax Today f Information available in this Legation regarding probable f future developments in the Far East is very slight and unsatisfactory. No detailed information is available as to the course of the United States-Japanese negotiations- It is not known whether President Roosevelt, in fact, answered Premier Konoye's letter, whether detailed negotiations are proceeding in Washington or Tokyo or in both places, whether Wakasugi is bringing any specific instructions to Washington, why Sir Robert Craigie proposed to take a three months leave and his plans were suddenly interrupted. Hy own impression, gained chiefly from the newspapers, is that negotiations are at a standstill and that there is danger that, in the near future, they will completely break down. There is some support for this view in telegram Number 1819 of September 26th from Tokyo to London, which states that Mr. Ohta (Chief of the European and West Asiatic Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) informed Sir Robert Craigie that he thought "the internal situation would not permit of discussions proceeding for more than a month at the outside" and that the alternative to continuing discussions was war. Recently there have been rumours that the Konoye Government might be reconstructed. I suggest that the inadequacy of the information available should be stressed to Lord Halifax with a view to securing, as far as possible, additional information both from Tokyo and the State Department. Following is a list of topics which you may deem it advisable to discuss with Lord Halifax; 1. Far East. As above, and also details of Churchill-Roosevelt discussions on Far East. 2. Russia. Opinion in England regarding ability of Russia to hold out and effect of diverting supplies to Russia. 3. Projected visit of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross to United States. Persons likely to accompany him, probable length of stay and main object of visit. 4* Attitude of United Kingdom Government towards forthcoming International Labour Conference. 5. Any additional information (apart from Far East) about Churchill-Roosevelt meeting.