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393.112/64
Memorandum by the
Secretary of State Regarding a Conversation With the Japanese Ambassador
(Horinouchi)
[WASHINGTON,] August 26, 1939.
The Ambassador of Japan called at his own
request. He proceeded to refer to the reports, already published in the
American press, to the effect that American officials were incorrectly
attributing anti-American movements and demonstrations in China to Japanese
offi-
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cials or to their influence in thus instigating the Chinese. The
Ambassador handed me the attached paper, [43] which I proceeded to read. I
thanked him for the attention his Government had given to this matter and the
spirit seemingly prompting his Government to seek to clear it up.
I then said that, having seen in the American
press the purpose and nature of his contemplated call on me, I had requested
the Far Eastern Division to jot down a list of instances of transgressions by
Japanese or due to Japanese influence in China to the detriment and injury of
Americans and of American interests. I added that this list of incidents had
not been elaborated but that I would proceed to read them. I then read the
memorandum prepared by the Far Eastern Division, attached hereto and marked
"A". [43] The Ambassador appeared somewhat surprised and at a loss
for further comment with regard to this paper. He said he would be pleased to
have a copy of it. I replied that I would be glad to request the Far Eastern
Division to put it in more elaborate form if possible and to send a copy him at
the Japanese Embassy.
The Ambassador then said that, speaking
personally, he might say his Government on yesterday had decided to abandon any
further negotiations with Germany and Italy relative to closer relations under
the anti-Comintern Pact to which they have been parties for some time. He added
that the change in affairs in Europe made this course manifest, and,
furthermore, it was plain that his Government would find it important to adopt
new foreign policy in more or less respects. I might say that he prefaced this
general reference to his country by reiterating his personal desire to clear up
any misunderstandings or differences between our two countries and to restore
the friendly relations heretofore existing. The Ambassador remarked that he
hoped there might come about an adjustment of the Japanese-Chinese situation.
He just made this general observation and then he passed on to inquire what I
knew or thought about the European situation.
I replied that it was very kaleidoscopic;
that just now no one could with any satisfaction predict about developments
from day to day; that at this time today the British Cabinet was considering
the conversation between Mr. Hitler and the British Ambassador at Berlin on
yesterday; that no one knows what their decision may be.
I then referred to his comment about Japan
and her purpose to adopt a new foreign policy, and I made observations
substantially as follows:
The principles and practices of American
policy in regard to the
[43]
Not printed. [E-editor note: footnote 43 is used twice on this page.]
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world in general and the Far East in particular are well known to all
governments everywhere.
During recent years Japanese authorities
and/or agencies have been pursuing courses which come into direct conflict with
those principles and policies and which involve disregard of principles of
international law and of treaties between the United States and Japan and also
multilateral treaties to which the United States and Japan are parties.
The United States has made representations
over and over and over again in objection to or protest against overt acts of
these types. The Japanese Government has given assurances over and over again
that it has regard for the principles and the rules and the provisions involved
and that it will show its regard for them,—and over and over Japanese authorities
have immediately committed other acts in disregard thereof.
We have clear evidence of inspiration by
Japanese authorities of action by agencies thereof hostile not only to
occidental nationals and interests in general but to American nationals and
interests in particular. These courses of action by Japanese have resulted in
arousing against Japan feelings of suspicion and attitudes of opposition on the
part of almost all of the other powers which have interests in the Far East,
especially in China, including the United States.
It should be evident to Japan that there is
something wrong with policies and practices on the part of one nation which
arouse antagonism on the part of almost all other nations in contact with that
nation.
The United States wishes to have amicable
relations with every other country in the world. We have in the past had very
friendly relations with every country in the Far East, including Japan. Our
policy is a policy of "Live and let live". We seek nowhere any special
position; but we seek everywhere equality of opportunity under conditions of
fair treatment and security.
The world is being given today new object
lessons with regard to the futility of policies wherein nations plan to take
advantage of other nations by use of armed force in disregard of moral
principles and legal principles and generally accepted axioms of friendly and
profitable general international intercourse.
The future of American-Japanese relations
lies largely in the hands of Japan. American policy is a policy of friendliness
and f air dealing toward all nations. It will not change.
The Ambassador seemed appreciative and this
ended the conversation.
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