[Secret]
From: Washington (Nomura)
To: Tokyo
December 2, 1941
Purple (Urgent)
#1234
Strictly Secret.
Re
your #862 [a].
I
knew that to leave that error in the publication of this speech as it now
stands would have a bad effect on negotiations, so on the morning of the 2nd
prior to my interview with WELLES I sent TERAZAKI to visit BALLANTINE at the
State Department to explain the substance of your #862. BALLANTINE said,
"At this tense psychological moment in Japanese-American negotiations, the
fact that such a strong statement as this has been circulated has given a
severe shock to the American Government and people and it is very unfortunate
and dangerous." TERAZAKI replied, "Well, as it was the American
newspapers that made such a clamor about it, I did not come to vindicate
ourselves or make any explanation. I merely wished to state the facts." He
added, "At present the newspapers of both countries ought both to be cool
and calm, so will you please advise them hereafter concerning this point."
Army 25730
JD: 7059 Trans. 12-4-41 (2)
[a] Not available.
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)