8

Mr M. Akiyama, Japanese Consul-General in Australia, to Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister

Telegram n.d. [on or after 8 January 1940]

I heartily congratulate you on the widely significant appointment

of an Australian Minister to Washington which indicates the

positive attitude of the Commonwealth of Australia for the

maintenance of peace in the Pacific and forms a momentous

contribution towards the betterment of the relationship between

the nations concerned. I also appreciate your statement that the

Commonwealth has under immediate consideration the appointment of

a Minister to Tokyo. [1]

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1 This telegram has been reprinted from a press release entitled

Friendship in the Pacific. Australian Minister for Washington

which was issued by C. C. Dawson, Commonwealth Publicity Officer,

on 12 January 1940. No other copy has been found.

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[AA: A461, D703/1/2]

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