GRAY TOKYO VIA SHANGHAI & N.R. Dated September 6, 1939 Rec'd 9:30 a.m., 7th Secretary of State, Washington. 480, Septembre 6, 7 p.m. Our 459, September 6, 5 p.m. The British Ambassador's telegram to London is as fol- lows: "After consultation with my French and United States colleagues I suggest for your consideration that replies should be on the following lines: (1) We take this statement as meaning that Japanese Government intend to adopt a neutral attitude in relation to the conflict in Europe. (2) We are unable to see why outbreak of hostilities in Europe should increase the difficulties between the Japanese and ourselves in China. We wish to avoid incidents but we see no reason for the Japanese proposal for the with- drawal of our troops and warships and are at a loss to understand it because we intend to retain our troops and ships in the Far East so long as they are required for the defense of British interests. (3) |