80 THREE YEARS OF CALM BEFORE THE STORM

is all a matter of luck how many come one's way—or ill luck, for
there is no pleasure in catching the helpless creatures. Lindley
caught ten during the day, most of the guests one or two, some none.
Elsie caught one, much against her will. Alice did not participate.
If a duck flies up and escapes, a falcon is sent after it to bring it
down. To-day was bad, for there was no wind and many of the
ducks wouldn't rise. I was twice asked by attendants to scoop them
out of the water but absolutely refused to do so, although others did.
They want to get all the ducks possible, because, after giving six to
each ambassador and relative quotas to the guests of lesser rank,
the remainder are used by the Imperial household.

The real amusement of the day, which turned out to be a delicious,
clear, sunny spring day after the rain ceased, was in the minor
sports which were carried on in front of the lodge—a baby golf
course, a clock putting green, ping-pong, quoits, battledore and
shuttle-cock—and a delicious luncheon. We were with the Chichibus
most of the time—I beat him in the ping-pong tournament, but the
Princess finally won the tournament. They are perfectly informal
and very congenial personally, and we thanked our stars that it
wasn't one of the other princes because most of them are stiff and
out of their element with foreigners. Elsie, especially, had a grand
time. The Chichibus say that they enjoyed the dinner and movie at
our Embassy so much that they want us to ask them again soon ; I
think the truth is that it is the only way in which they can see a good
movie, and we shall arrange it after Easter. Prince Chichibu is a
brother of the Emperor, and his lovely wife was the daughter of
Tsuneo Matsudaira, formerly Ambassador in Washington, where she
went to school.

GOOD NEWS FROM SECRETARY HULL

March 23, 1933

Returned at 5 and found a very pleasant telegram from Secre-
tary Hull, referring to my resignation, which I had placed in
the President's hands by letter of December 5, and stating that he
was happy to inform me that as the President was satisfied with my
services here, he desired me to continue as Ambassador to Japan.
This is very gratifying. I hadn't expected such a message, having
supposed that if the President wished me to remain he would simply
not appoint a successor. This is really tantamount to a definite
appointment under the new administration and it makes us very
happy to know definitely that we are to carry on.

JAPAN QUITS THE LEAGUE

March 27, 1933

Japan's formal withdrawal from the League of Nations was passed
by the Privy Council and the Emperor and cabled to Geneva to-day,