Your telegram 87. [1] I am in agreement completely with the
attitude you have adopted in your second and third paragraphs but
suggest that you urge in addition the difficulty of receiving the
Attaches under the present conditions of Japan being bound to our
enemies to exchange Naval and Military and Air intelligence. She
is doing so through the military commission appointed under the
express terms of the Tripartite Pact as well as other concealed
methods. In the circumstances movements of Naval and Military
Attaches would have to be strictly limited and would be liable to
be a source of friction rather than of good relations. I suggest
it should be urged that to press for such appointments in the
present circumstances would go far to undo all good results
already achieved and others hoped for by reason of exchange of
Ministers. Object should be to prevent formal request being made
or, if made, to secure its withdrawal so as to avoid refusal.

Refusal would be difficult to justify as such Attaches are part of
the normal staff of Ministers. Attaches here are very closely
watched and are not allowed to see or visit anything of importance
(see my M.S.5 of January 27th [2]).

In the case of Naval and Air Attaches their written instructions
limit their contacts to two officials at the Navy Office and they
have to give prior notice of intention to visit any place outside
Tokyo district. We would be justified in insisting on Naval and
Air and possibly Military Attaches residing in Canberra and only
travelling outside the F.C.T. [3] after giving prior notice and
exercising the strictest supervision of their movements but the
inevitable result would be friction and unpleasantness.

I think every endeavour should be made to have appointment of such
Attaches postponed for the present. In case of failure we should
appoint Attache here and impose in Australia conditions
corresponding to the domination applied here.

LATHAM