103 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London, to Prime Minister's Department

Japanese reply [1] has been fully considered in private discussions to-day between the United Kingdom, United States, France and the Dominions.

The probable procedure when the Conference meets tomorrow at the morning meeting will be speeches by the United Kingdom, United States and France which will be given to the Press stressing the importance of rules of law in international relations and peaceful methods of settling disputes, and deploring the Japanese action as a blow to these principles. The Italian attitude uncertain, but probably out of line with the rest of the Conference. After these speeches an attempt will be made to obtain the agreement of the Conference to a Press communique refuting certain contentions of Japan, embodying some points from the speeches and indicating an adjournment for a week to enable the Governments to consider and consult with regard to the situation created by the Japanese reply.