[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#901
Re
my #844 [a].
1.
The Government has deliberated deeply on the American proposal of the 26th of
November and as a result we have drawn up a memorandum for the United States
contained in my separate message #902 [b] (in English).
2.
This separate message is a very long one. I will send it in fourteen parts and
I imagine you will receive it tomorrow. However, I am not sure. The situation
is extremely delicate, and when you receive it I want you to please keep it
secret for the time being.
3.
Concerning the time of presenting this memorandum to the United States, I will
wire you in a separate message. However, I want you in the meantime to put it
in nicely drafted form and make every preparation to present it to the
Americans just as soon as you receive instructions.
Army 25838
JD: 7149 Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
[a] See S.I.S. #25445 in which Tokyo wires Washington the Imperial Government cannot accept the United States proposal and, therefore, with a report of the views of the Imperial Government which will be sent in two or three days, the negotiations will be de facto ruptured. Until then, however, Washington is not to give the impression that negotiations are broken off.
[b] Not available.
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)