90
793.94/9732
The
Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
[Telegram: Paraphrase]
WASHINGTON, September 2, 1937—2 p. m.
187. Reference is made to outline in your
telegram No. 321 of August 27, 4 p. m., [36] of the views and estimate of the
American Embassy in Japan. I hope that it may be useful for you to have an
outline of the general reaction at home to developments taking place and of the
Department's present thoughts respecting methods and policy, as a means toward
understanding and interpreting the American position.
The United States Government's course, as
pursued during recent years in regard to the Far East, has been animated partly
by the thought of the advantageousness of encouraging Japanese and Chinese
effort at developing toward each other and toward the world attitudes of real
cooperativeness. A situation has been produced by the hostilities that have
been and are now going on between Japan and China which permits scant hope of
any such attitude or practice being reciprocally developed by and between those
two countries in the near future.
In view of the methods employed by the
Japanese military forces, particularly of their entire lack of responsiveness
in their acts to suggestions quietly and patiently made them by the United
States and other Governments that reasonable consideration be given by them to
the safety, rights, interests, susceptibilities, etc., of individuals and
nations which are not parties to the Sino-Japanese conflict, it may be doubted
that the elements actually controlling Japan's policies and action value
appreciably the friendship of other nations or efforts made by the United
States and other Governments to cultivate good will, confidence, and stability
in general.
[36] Not printed.
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DOCUMENTS
In the current crisis the United States
Government has endeavored to follow an absolutely impartial course. It is
realized in Washington that hostilities are not likely to be brought to an end
by manifestations of disapprobation on moral or legal grounds. It is necessary,
however, in shaping the American course, to keep in mind constantly not only
the possible serving of that object, not only the possible effects upon Japan,
or upon China, or upon both of them, of possible steps, but also the wishes and
attitude of the American people, the principles in which the United States
believes, the courses which other: countries pursue, and various objectives,
general and ultimate as well as immediate and particular.
The principles guiding the United States
Government were made clear in my statement of July 16, 50 states of the world
having since affirmatively expressed themselves in general support thereof. In
my subsequent statement of August 23, it is made clear that these principles
are regarded as being applicable to the Pacific area. In a well-ordered
existence in and of the society of nations, these principles are considered to
be fundamental. In their present courses of action it is apparent that neither
Japan nor China is acting in accord with these principles, and Japan's course
is directly in conflict with many of them.
Of the Japanese feeling that the American
course has indicated a desire for fairness and impartiality, I am glad to know.
The first solicitude of the United States, however, will have to be, not for
the maintenance of unqualified good will by either or both of the combatants
toward the United States, but for the welfare of the American people and for
the general policies and broad interests of the United States, guided by laws,
treaties, public opinion, and other controlling considerations. Your view is
shared by me that fundamental American objectives should include (1) the
avoidance of involvement and (2) the protection of lives, property, and rights
of American citizens. I am in doubt regarding your suggestion that these two
objectives might be pursued simultaneously with the third objective, and
consequently do not feel that solidifying relations with either combatant
nation should be made a definite objective. The United States is opposed to the
courses being pursued, particularly Japan's course. We do not desire to injure
China or Japan and wish to be a good neighbor to both, but we do not intend to
permit the United States to be hampered in making its decisions by especial
solicitude lest its actions displease one or the other, or both, of the
combatants.
We do not wish the Japanese to entertain any
impression that we
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look upon the Japanese course with less apprehension or disapproval than
does the British Government or of condoning in any sense whatever the course
which Japan is pursuing.
American public opinion has been outraged by
the methods and strategy employed by the combatants, particularly by the
Japanese military, and has become gradually more critical of Japan. Last week's
events, particularly the circumstances of the Japanese shooting of the British
Ambassador in China and the Japanese Prime Minister's statement that the
representations of the powers are of little or no importance, have intensified
this divergence from the standard f impartiality in popular feeling and
thought. Tending to offset this somewhat has been, of course, the Chinese
bombing of the liner President Hoover.
In addressing the authorities of either side,
I do not intend calling names or making threats. I heartily approve of your
tactful and dignified manner of conducting approaches to the Japanese
Government. However, I wish the Japanese to understand fully that the United
States Government is looking with thorough disapproval upon the present
manifestation of Japanese foreign policy and upon the methods employed by the
Japanese military in pursuit of that policy. I consider it desirable for you
not to overlook any opportunity of impressing upon Japanese officials the
importance attached by the United States Government to the principles laid down
in my statement of July 16 and to the significance of my statement of August
23, and for you to suggest to Japanese officials that Japan, by the course it
is pursuing, is destroying the good will of the world and is laying up for itself
among the peoples of the world a liability of distrust, suspicion, popular
antipathy, and potential ostracism, the liquidation of which would take many,
many years of benevolent endeavor by Japan.
The Roosevelt Administration has not
repudiated anything in the record of the efforts made on behalf of principles
and of peace by the United States Government at the time of the Manchuria
affair. We have in the present crisis endeavored to dissuade Japan and China
from entering upon and from continuing hostilities; but mediation has not been
offered. I am by no means certain that we wish to assume the responsibilities
and role of a mediator. I would not desire, at least for the present, to
encourage either side to believe or to expect that, after currently rejecting
many American suggestions to exercise restraint, they may rely upon the United
States Government serving them as a friendly broker whenever it suits their
convenience. I would want both sides to feel that should they
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desire good will and any form of impartial assistance from the United
States, now is the time for evidence by them of appreciation of American
policies and methods through being considerate of American legitimate interests
and essential solicitudes.
HULL