FO371-24687 — Page 38

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international body on which they were not only

not represented, but which was dominated by

their enemies.

The manner in which this proposal is put

to us tends moreover to increase one's

suspicions of its motive. If the Japanese have

a genuine financial scheme with some chance of

acceptance by the other parties concerned,

they should indicate in greater detail what

their ideas are and advance them as their own.

As usual, however, they want us to take the

responsibility for a move that will immediately

subject us to the gravest suspicion, while they

remain at liberty to respond to it as they like.

If you will remember, a proposal for Anglo-

Japanese action to prevent the collapse of the

fapi was made in July 1938 and was turned down

correspondence ending with for the reasons mentioned above (see Tokyo tele-

gram No. 819 of 6th July 1938 - F 7243/25/10

copy sent to the Treasury on 7th July).

It will be interesting to have Rogers'

observations on the telegram as well as those of

Sir A. Clark Kerr, but at first sight it seems

to us to be just another political trap. If the

Americans were willing to support the idea that

would be another matter, but there is not the

least likelihood of their doing so because of

its political implications.

also

x

have

We shall be interested to see your obser-

vations in due course.

3.&.7.g.

21/6

Yps sencilly

Sgd.) ASS CLARKE

AC:

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NOTHING' TO

BE

WRITTEN

IN

THIS

MARGIN.