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711.94/908
Informal and Personal Message
From, the Japanese Minister For Foreign Affairs (Hirota) to the Secretary of
State [17]
TO THE HONORABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
It is a significant fact that ever since
Japan and the United State opened their doors to each other exactly eighty
years ago, the two countries have always maintained a relationship of
friendliness an cordiality.
[17] Handed to the Secretary of State by the Japanese Ambassador, February 21, 1934.
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DOCUMENTS
It is a matter for gratification to both our
countries that they produce very few commodities which represent conflicting
interests in their foreign trade, that each supplies what the other wants, that
they are good customers of each other's products, and that they are
strengthening their relation of interdependence year after year.
I firmly believe that viewed in the light of
the broad aspect of the situation and studied from all possible angles, no
question exists between our two countries that is fundamentally incapable of
amicable solution. I do not doubt that all issues pending between the two
nations will be settled in a satisfactory manner, when examined with a good
understanding on the part of each of the other's position, discussed with an
open mind and in all frankness, and approached with a spirit of cooperation and
conciliation.
I can state with all emphasis at my command
that the Japanese nation makes it its basic principle to collaborate in peace
and harmony with all nations and has no intention whatever to provoke and make
trouble with any other Power.
It is the sincere desire of Japan that a most
peaceful and friendly relation will be firmly established between her and her
great neighbor across the Pacific, the United States. And to this end I have
been exerting my best efforts since I took the post of Foreign Minister.
I am happy, therefore, to avail myself of the
occasion of the arrival in your country of Mr. Saito, the new Ambassador, to
lay before you, through him, Mr. Secretary, my thoughts as to the necessity of
promoting our traditional friendship as above.
I hope and believe that the desire of the
Japanese Government in this respect will be reciprocated by a full support and
countenance on the part of your Government.