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Subject:
Japanese Declaration
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Dear Lt. Condon,
My suggestion for the next step in respect to the Shantung matter is that Mr. White talk with Mr. Balfour and M. Clemenceau, separately, at the earliest possible moment. Having done that Mr. White will be in position to judge as to the advisibility of his seeing Baron Makino at once -- with or without having secured the support of a special communication from President Wilson.I judge from the reports which appear in the papers, that the Administration in Washington is counting on the appearance of a declaration by the Japanese at any moment. This possibility is getting more publicity than will be desirable in case the declaration is not forthcoming. It would seem to me advisable to carry the negotiations as promptly as possible to the point where the American delegation will be in position to inform the President weither that the declaration is going to be made or that it is not to be expected.
Yours faithfully,
Stanley K Hornbeck.