No CrossRef data available.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 April 2017
Unlike the State Department Officials of the United States who were subjected by the Senate to postwar Congressional investigation in the Pearl-Harbor hearing, British Far Eastern policy-makers were saved such parliamentary ordeals. The loss of the whole British position in the Far-East at the hands of the Japanese between December 1941 and May 1942 was humiliating enough. It was, as Winston Churchill later claimed, ‘the worst disaster and the largest capitulation of British history’.
1 Churchill, Winston, The Second World War, III (London, 1950), pp. 551ff.Google Scholar
2 Lowe, Peter, Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War (Oxford, 1977).Google Scholar
3 Ibid., p. 287.
4 Craigie to Eden, 4 February 1943, F 821/821/G, FO 371/35957.
5 In fact, Alex Cadogan, the Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign Office, found it ‘a pretty sweeping indictment of U.S. policy’. Winston Churchill referred to Craigie's memorandum as ‘a very strange document’. Thorne, Christopher, Allies of A kind: The United States, Britain and the War Against Japan, 1941–45 (Oxford, 1978), p. 75Google Scholar; Churchill, , Second World War III, p. 539.Google Scholar
6 Far Eastern Department (Foreign Office), Memorandum on ‘From Burma Road Crisis to Pearl-Harbor’, 23 April, 1943, F 2602/821/G., FO 371/35957.
7 Craigie, R., Behind The Japanese Mask (London, 1946), p. 9.Google Scholar
8 Craigie, Memorandum on ‘the Survey of Political Events during the period of my appointment as H.M. Ambassador in Tokyo with particular reference to the period of six months immediately preceding the outbreak of war’, secret, 3 February 1943, FO 371/35957.
9 Agbi, S. O., ‘The Foreign Office and Yoshida's Bid for Rapprochement with Britain in 1936–37: A Critical Reconsideration of the Anglo-Japanese Conversations’, The Historical Journal, 21, 1 (1978), pp. 173–9.Google Scholar
10 Lowe, Peter, ‘The Dilemmas of an Ambassador: Sir Robert Craigie in Tokyo, 1937–41,’Google Scholar in Daniels, G. and Lowe, P. (eds), Proceedings of the British Association for Japanese Studies, II, Part I, ‘History and International Relations’ (University of Sheffield: Centre of Japanese Studies, 1977), p. 35.Google Scholar
11 Craigie, R., Memo, 3 02 1943, FO 371/35957.Google Scholar
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid.
14 Far Eastern Department, Memo, 23 April 1943, FO 371/35957.
15 See articles by Crowley, J. B., Iriye, Akira, Hoyosa, Chihiro, in Morley, James (ed.), Dilemmas of Growth in Pre-War Japan (Princeton, 1971)Google Scholar, Also, Katsumi, Usui, ‘The Role of the Foreign Ministry’, Borg, D. and Okamoto, S. (eds), Pearl Harbor as History: Japanese-American Relations, 1931–41 (New York, 1973), pp. 127–48.Google Scholar
16 Craigie, Memo, 3 February 1943, FO 371/35957.
17 Far Eastern Department, Memo, 23 April 1943, Ibid.
18 Dodds to Eden, 15 July 1937, Knatchbull Hugessen to Eden, 15 July 1937, FO 371/20955 with minutes.
19 Minute by Charles Orde on Dodds to Eden, 15 July 1937, Ibid.
20 Minute by Nigel Ronald on Dodds to Eden, 15 July 1937, Ibid.
21 Minute by Alex Cadogan, on Dodds to Eden, 15 July 1937, Ibid.
22 Cabinet conclusions, 14 July 1937, CAB 23/89.
23 For an analysis of Britain's strategic position in the Far East during the 1937–41 period, see Agbi, S. O., ‘The Strategic Factor in Britain's Far Eastern Diplomacy 1937–41’, Nigerian Journal of International Studies, Vol. II, No. 1 (Ibadan, 1978), pp. 53–80.Google Scholar
24 Lindsay to Eden, 15 July 1937, FO 371/20950.
25 Minute by Chamberlain, Neville on ‘situation in China’, F.O. to P.M., 10 08 1937, Prem. 1/314.Google Scholar
26 Eden to Dodds (repeated to Nanking) 14 July 1937, FO 371/20950.
27 Dodds to Eden, 18 July 1937, FO 371/20954.
28 Minute by Orde, 22 August 1937, Ibid.
29 Minute by Vansittart on a conversation with the Chinese Ambassador in London, 26 August 1937, Ibid.
30 Minute by Pratt, 29 July 1937, FO 371/21002. This treaty, signed on 6 February 1922 by the United States, Belgium, the British Empire, China, France, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands and Portugal, was aimed to promote intercourse between China and other Powers upon the basis of equality of opportunity.
31 League of Nations, Official Journal, special supplement, 1937–1938, No. 177, pp. 37–42.Google Scholar
32 Craigie to Eden, 19 September 1937, FO 371/21030.
33 Crowley, J. B., Japan's Quest For Autonomy (Princeton, 1965), p. 357.Google Scholar
34 Craigie to Eden, 19 September 1937, FO 371/20956.
35 Minute by Ronald and Cadogan on Craigie to Eden, 20 September 1937, FO 371/21030.
36 Craigie to Eden, 29 September 1937, Ibid.
37 Ibid.
38 Cab. Concl., 29 September 1937, CAB 23/89.
39 Minute by Orde on Craigie to Eden, 29 September 1937, FO 371/21030.
40 Cab. Concl., 29 September 1937, CAB 23/89.
41 Memo by Neville Chamberlain, 27 September 1937, Prem 1/314; Cab. Concl., 29 September 1937, CAB 23/89. For Chamberlain's opinion about Craigie, see Lowe, Peter, ‘The Dilemmas of an Ambassador’, pp. 35, 39, 41.Google Scholar
42 Eden to Howe, 4 October 1937, FO 371/20957.
43 Howe to Eden, 5 October 1937, Ibid.
44 Craigie to Eden, 4 November 1937, FO 371/21030.
45 Minute by Thyme Henderson, on Craigie to Eden, 4 November 1937, Ibid.
46 Minute by H. H. Thomas on Craigie to Eden, 4 November 1937, Ibid.
47 Craigie to Halifax, 29 June 1938, FO 371/22019.
48 Minute by Brenan on Craigie to Halifax, 29 June 1938, Ibid.
49 Katsumi, Usui, ‘The Role of the Foreign Ministry’Google Scholar, in Borg, and Okamoto, (eds), Pearl Harbor as History, p. 141.Google Scholar
50 Minutes by Brenan, 16 July 1938, FO 371/22019.
51 Craigie to Halifax, 22 August 1938, FO 371/22092.
52 Minute by Brenan, 24 August 1938, Ibid.
53 Craigie's meetings and discussions with Premier Konoe can be found in FO 371/22092.
54 Craigie to Halifax, 2 December 1938, FO 371/22181.
55 Ibid.
56 Ibid.
57 Ibid.
58 Ibid.
59 Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918–1945 Series D, Vol. IV, pp. 118–26Google Scholar; Ciano's Diary, 1937–38 (London, 1952), pp. 188–9.Google Scholar
60 Minute by Brenan on Craigie to Halifax, 2 December 1938, FO 371/22181.
61 Minute by Strang on Craigie to Halifax, 2 December 1938, Ibid.
62 Minute by Southern Dept. (no name), on Craigie to Halifax, 2 December 1938, Ibid.
63 Minute by Strang on Craigie to Halifax, 2 December 1938, Ibid.
64 Halifax to Craigie, 18 January 1939, Documents on British Foreign Policy, 1919–1939, Third Series, Vol. VIII, p. 407.Google Scholar
65 Shigemitsu to Halifax, 21 December 1938, FO 371/22163 with minutes by Mounsey and Howe.
66 Minute by Cadogan, 18 December 1938, FO 371/22181.
67 Parliamentary Debates (Commons), Vol. 341, Col. 165–6.Google Scholar
68 Jones, F. C., Japan's New Order in East Asia (London, 1954), pp. 147–51Google Scholar; Lee, B. A., Britain and the Sino-Japanese War (Stanford, 1973), pp. 174–204Google Scholar; Lowe, Peter, Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War (Oxford, 1977), Ch. 3.Google Scholar
69 Lowe, , Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War, pp. 73–8.Google Scholar
70 Craigie to Halifax, 18 June, 1939, Documents on British Foreign Policy, 9, pp. 196–8.Google Scholar
71 Memo by the Minister for the co-ordination of Defence, 16 June 1939, CAB 53/11; C.O.S. (Report) 18 June 1939, FP (36) 96, CAB 53/50.
72 Neville Chamberlain Papers, Chamberlain to Hilda, 17 June, 1939, NC. 18/1/1103 (Birmingham University).
73 See Watt's, D. C. Review of Peter Lowe's book in the Times Literary Supplement, 28 July 1978, p. 866Google Scholar; Lowe, , Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War, p. 74.Google Scholar
74 Reports from the continental papers are to be found in FO 371/23526. Shai, Aron, Origins of the War in the East (London, 1976), p. 228Google Scholar; Clifford, Nicholas, Retreat From China (London, 1967), p. 123.Google Scholar
75 Craigie to Halifax, 5 April, 1940, FO 371/24651 for the text of the agreement.
76 Craigie to Halifax, 22 June 1940, FO 371/24725.
77 Lothian to Halifax, 25 June 1940, Ibid.
78 C. O. S. Review, 13 June, 1940, CAB 80/14.
79 Halifax to Lothian, 26 June 1940; Lothian to Halifax, 28 June 1940, FO 371/24725.
80 War Cab. Concl., 1 July 1940, CAB 65/7; Halifax to Craigie, 2 July 1940, FO 371/24666.
81 War Cab. Concl., 5 July 1940, CAB 65/8.
82 Craigie to Halifax, 4 July 1940, FO 371/24666 with minutes by Dening.
83 Templewood Papers Mss, Halifax to Hoare, 8 July 1940, Box XIII (Cambridge University Library).
84 F. O. Memo, ‘Possibility of a General Settlement with Japan’, enclosed in F. O. to Board of Trade, Ministry of Economic Warfare, colonial and Dominion's Office, India Office, Burma Office, and Petroleum Dept., 10 August 1940, FO 371/24708.
85 Agbi, S. O., ‘British Imperial Defence and Foreign Policy in Asia and the Pacific and the Impact of Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1937–41’ (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Birmingham, 06 1976), pp. 281–3.Google Scholar
86 Lowe, , Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War, pp. 159–60.Google Scholar
87 Agbi, , ‘British Imperial Defence and Foreign Policy in Asia and the Pacific’, pp. 288–304.Google Scholar
88 Craigie to Eden, 13 June, 1941, FO 371/27778.
89 Feis, H., The Road to Pearl Harbor (Princeton, 1950)Google Scholar; Graebner, Normal A., ‘Hoover, Roosevelt and the Japanese’, in Borg, and Okamoto, (eds), Pearl Harbor as History, pp. 25–82.Google Scholar
90 Former Naval Person to Roosevelt, 15 February 1941, FO 371/27887.
91 Lowe, , Great Britain and the Origins of the Pacific War, p. 224.Google Scholar
92 Craigie to Eden, 4 February 1943, FO 371/35957.
93 Eden to Halifax, 21 May 1941, FO 371/27880; Eden to Craigie, 8 November 1941, FO 371/35957.
94 Halifax to Eden, 25 May 1941, Ibid.
95 Memo, F. O., ‘From Burma Road to Pearl Harbor’Google Scholar, F 2662/821/6, 23 April 1943, FO 371/35957.
96 Craigie to Eden, 22 October 1941, FO 371/27884; 4 February 1943, FO 371/35957.
97 F. O. Memo, 23 April 1943, FO 371/35957.
98 Foreign Relations of the United States, [FRUS], Japan 1931–41, II, pp. 755–6.Google Scholar
99 Craigie to Eden, 4 February 1943, FO 371/35957.
100 Minute by Clarke, 19 November 1941; Minute by Sterndale Bennett, 20 November 1941, FO 371/27912.
101 Eden to Halifax, 20 November 1941, FO 371/27913.
102 FRUS, , Japan 1931–1941, II, pp. 768–70.Google Scholar
103 Minute by Churchill to Eden, 23 November 1941, FO 371/27913; Churchill, , The Second World War III, p. 529.Google Scholar
104 Halifax to Eden, 29 November 1941, FO 371/27913.
105 Hull, Cordell, Memoirs (London, 1948), Vol. II, p. 1084.Google Scholar
106 Thorne, Christopher, Allies of a Kind, p. 75.Google Scholar For reasons which might have forced the United States to push Japan into a corner, see Kinhide, Mushakoji, ‘The structure of Japanese-American Relations in the 1930s’, in Borg, and Okamoto, (eds), Pearl Harbor as History, pp. 595–604.Google Scholar
107 Iriye, Akira, Across the Pacific: An Inner History of America-East Asian Relations (New York, 1967), pp. 225–6.Google Scholar
108 Nobutaka, Ike, Japan's Decision For War; Records of the 1941 Policy Conferences (Stanford, 1967), pp. 262–83.Google Scholar
109 Nobutaka, Ike, Japan's Decision For War, pp. 262–3.Google Scholar
110 Duus, Peter, The Rise of Modern Japan (Stanford, 1976), p. 228.Google Scholar
111 Nish, I., Japanese Foreign Policy, 1869–1942 (London, 1977), p. 245.Google Scholar
112 Although, as Gore-Booth remarked, Craigie's mission in Tokyo had been ‘a brave effort’. See Gore-Booth, P., With Great Truth and Respect (London, 1974), p. 109.Google Scholar