My circular M.200. [2]

JAPAN
(i) The possibility that the Japanese may be contemplating
dangerous action in relation to Thailand, and a message now
received from the Thai Prime Minister [3] have made it imperative
that we should take up at once with the United States Government
the advisability of a warning being conveyed to the Japanese
before the latter are committed to a further move. We also wish to
raise with the United States Government at the earliest suitable
moment the general question of an assurance that in the event of
war with Japan we may count upon their armed support, see my
telegram to the Commonwealth Government 515. [4] A third approach
is also necessary since such information as has reached us as to
the manner in which the United States Freezing Order is to be
applied (see my Circular M.1935) suggests that there has been a
departure from the policy outlined to us before the freezing order
was issued (see my Circular M. 173 [6]) with consequent risk that
we and the other parts of the Empire may in practice find
ourselves ahead of the United States in our restrictions.

(2) My three immediately following telegrams contain instructions
which have now been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington
[7] in regard to each of these aspects, viz.:-

(a) the question of an assurance from the United States;

(b) warning to Japan;

(c) freezing of Japanese assets. 8
The nature of the information reaching us about Thailand and
uncertainty in regard to the United States policy over application
of the freezing order make (b) and (c) very urgent. (a) is equally
pressing but it is a particularly delicate question and informal
discussions with the United States Ambassador here [9] have shown
that the method of approach is all important. While, therefore, we
have acquainted His Majesty's Ambassador very fully with the point
of view of the Dominions and ourselves, we think it necessary as
regards (a) to await his observations before giving him definite
instructions to take action.