§ 29. Sir Charles Cayzerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any reply from the Japanese Government to the British Note on the question of naval construction in Japan?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. The reply of the Japanese Government to the British Note of 5th February on the subject of Japanese naval construction was handed to His Majesty's Representative at Tokyo on 12th February. Replies in similar terms were at the same time communicated to the French and United States representatives. In their reply, the full text of which has already been made public, the Japanese Government regret that they are unable to comply with the desire of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to receive certain information and assurances regarding Japanese intentions in connection with the construction of capital ships and cruisers. In addition the Japanese Government are unable to accept the proposal contained in the final paragraph of the British Note for consultation on the question of the future limitation of tonnage of vessels and calibre of guns. The new situation which has thus arisen as a result of the Japanese reply will now be examined by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in consultation with the other naval Powers with whom they are in treaty relations.