Your [sic] cablegram 5th February [1]-have taken action in
accordance with instructions your cablegram 25th January [2] and
position is King's approval can now be obtained at any moment.

Owing to King's absence from London until week commencing 1st
April I cannot take action until then but matter could be dealt
with by direct cable through Governor General. [3]

As ordinary procedure after obtaining King's assent is immediately
to approach Government concerned thus setting machine in motion
which leads to public announcement, am doubtful if in view of
following facts desirable expedite obtaining of His Majesty's
approval.

JAPAN. If our announcement of intention to establish Legation at
Tokyo followed closely on creation of Wang's Government [4], which
anticipated may happen any day, it would be interpreted as
endorsement of Japanese action and would create a bad impression
particularly here and in the U.S.A. Temporary postponement would
appear desirable.

CHINA. As creation of Wang Government, with at least a possibility
it may become the predominant Government in China, is imminent,
suggest that we might be wiser to postpone declaring our intention
to credit a Minister to any Government until we see how the
position develops.

I suggest for your consideration whether the best course would not
be to postpone for the moment action with regard to Japan and to
postpone for later consideration in the light of developments the
appointment to China. [5]

BRUCE