[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 1 of 14) Separate telegram
MEMORANDUM
1.
The Government of Japan, prompted by a genuine desire to come to an amicable understanding
with the Government of the United States in order that the two countries by
their joint efforts may secure the peace of the Pacific area and thereby
contribute toward the realization of world peace, has continued negotiations
with the utmost sincerity since April last with the Government of the United
States regarding the adjustment and advancement of Japanese-American relations
and the stabilization of the Pacific area.
The
Japanese Government has the honor to state frankly its views, concerning the
claims the American Government has persistently maintained as well as the
measures the United States and Great Britain have taken toward Japan during
these eight months.
2.
It is the immutable policy of the Japanese Government to insure the stability
of East Asia and to promote world peace, and thereby to enable all nations to
find each its proper place in the world.
Ever
since the China Affair broke out owning to the failure on the part of China to
comprehend Japan's true intentions, the Japanese Government has striven for the
restoration of peace and it has consistently exerted its best efforts to
prevent the extension of war-like disturbances. It was also to that end that in
September last year Japan concluded the Tri Partite Pact with Germany and
Italy.
JD-1: 7143
25843 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 2 of 14)
However,
both the United States and Great Britain have resorted to every possible measure
to assist the Chungking regime so as to obstruct the establishment of a general
peace between Japan and China, interfering with Japan's constructive endeavours
toward the stabilization of East Asia, exerting pressure on The Netherlands
East Indies, or menacing French Indo-China, they have attempted to frustrate
Japan's aspiration to realize the ideal of common prosperity in cooperation
with these regions. Furthermore, when Japan in accordance with its protocol
with France took measures of joint defense of French Indo-China, both American
and British governments, willfully misinterpreted it as a threat to their own
possession and inducing the Netherlands government to follow suit, they
enforced the assets freezing order, thus severing economic relations with Japan
While manifesting thus an obviously hostile attitude, these countries have
strengthened their military preparations perfecting an encirclement of Japan,
and have brought about a situation which endangers the very existence of the
empire.
JD-1:7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41(S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 3 of 14).
Nevertheless,
facilitate a speedy settlement, the Premier of Japan proposed, in August last,
to meet the President of the United States for a discussion of important
problems between the two countries covering the entire Pacific area. However,
while accepting in principle the Japanese proposal, insisted that the meeting
should take place after an agreement of view had been reached on fundamental
-(75 letters garbled)-The Japanese government submitted a proposal based on the
formula proposed by the American government, taking fully into consideration
past American claims and also incorporating Japanese views. Repeated
discussions proved of no avail in producing readily an agreement of view. The
present cabinet, therefore, submitted a revised proposal, moderating still
further the Japanese claims regarding the principal points of difficulty in the
negotiation and endeavoured strenuously to reach a settlement. But the American
government, adhering steadfastly to its original proposal, failed to display in
the slightest degree a spirit of conciliation. The negotiation made no
progress.
JD-1:7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41(S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 4 of 14)
Thereupon,
the Japanese Government, with a view to doing its utmost for averting a crisis in
Japanese-American relations, submitted on November 20th still another proposal
in order to arrive at an equitable solution of the more essential and urgent
questions which, simplifying its previous proposal, stipulated the following
points:
(1)
The Governments of Japan and the United States undertake not to dispatch armed
forces into any of the regions, excepting French Indo-China, in the
Southeastern Asia and the Southern Pacific area.
(2)
Both Governments shall cooperate with a view to securing the acquisition in the
Netherlands East Indies of those goods and commodities of which the two
countries are in need.
(3)
Both Governments mutually undertake to restore commercial relations to those
prevailing prior to the freezing of assets. The Government of the United States
shall supply Japan the required quantity of oil.
(4)
The Government of the United States undertakes not to resort to measures and
actions prejudicial to the endeavours for the restoration of general peace
between Japan and China.
(5)
The Japanese Government undertakes to withdraw troops now stationed in French
Indo-China upon either the restoration of peace between Japan and China or the
establishment of an equitable peace in the Pacific area; and it is prepared to
remove the Japanese troops in the southern part of French Indo-China to the
northern part upon the conclusion of the present agreement.
JD-1:7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 5 of 14)
As
regards China, the Japanese Government, while expressing its readiness to
accept the offer of the President of the United States to act as
"Introducer" of peace between Japan and China as was previously
suggested, asked for an undertaking on the part of the United States to do
nothing prejudicial to the restoration of Sino-Japanese peace when the two
parties have commenced direct negotiations.
The
American government not only rejected the above-mentioned new proposal, but made
known its intention to continue its aid to Chiang Kai-Shek; and in spite of its
suggestion mentioned above withdrew the offer of the President to act as the
so-called "Introducer" of peace between Japan and China, pleading
that time was not yet ripe for it. Finally, on November 26th, in an attitude to
impose upon the Japanese government those principles it has persistently
maintained, the American government made a proposal totally ignoring Japanese
claims, which is a source of profound regret to the Japanese Government.
JD-1:7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 6 of 14)
4.
From the beginning of the present negotiation the Japanese Government has
always maintained an attitude of fairness and moderation, and did its best to
reach a settlement, for which it made all possible concessions often in spite
of great difficulties.
As
for the China question which constituted an important subject of the
negotiation, the Japanese Government showed a most conciliatory attitude.
As
for the principle of Non-Discrimination in International Commerce, advocated by
the American Government, the Japanese Government expressed its desire to see
the said principle applied throughout the world, and declared that along with
the actual practice of this principle in the world, the Japanese Government
would endeavor to apply the same in the Pacific area, including China, and made
it clear that Japan had no intention of excluding from China economic
activities of third powers pursued on an equitable basis.
Furthermore,
as regards the question of withdrawing troops from French Indo-China, the
Japanese government even volunteered, as mentioned above, to carry out an
immediate evacuation of troops from Southern French Indo-China as a measure of
easing the situation.
JD: 1-7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41(S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 4, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 7 of 14)
It
is presumed that the spirit of conciliation exhibited to the utmost degree by
the Japanese Government in all these matters is fully appreciated by the
American government.
On
the other hand, the American government, always holding fast to theories in
disregard of realities, and refusing to yield an inch on its impractical
principles, caused undue delays in the negotiation. It is difficult to
understand this attitude of the American government and the Japanese government
desires to call the attention of the American government especially to the
following points:
1.
The American government advocates in the name of world peace those principles
favorable to it and urges upon the Japanese government the acceptance thereof.
The peace of the world may be brought about only by discovering a mutually
acceptable formula through recognition of the reality of the situation and
mutual appreciation of one another's position. An attitude such as ignores
realities and imposes one's selfish views upon others will scarcely serve the
purpose of facilitating the consummation of negotiations.
25843
[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 8 of 14)
Of
the various principles put forward by the American government as a basis of the
Japanese-American agreement, there are some which the Japanese government is
ready to accept in principle, but in view of the world's actual conditions, it
seems only a Utopian ideal, on the part of the American government, to attempt
to force their immediate adoption.
Again,
the proposal to conclude a multilateral non-aggression pact between Japan, the
United States, Great Britain, China, the Soviet Union, The Netherlands, and
Thailand, which is patterned after the old concept of collective security, is
far removed from the realities of East Asia.
The
American proposal contains a stipulation which states: "Both governments
will agree that no agreement, which either has concluded with any third powers,
shall be interpreted by it in such a way as to conflict with the fundamental
purpose of this agreement, the establishment and preservation of peace
throughout the Pacific area." It is presumed that the above provision has
been proposed with a view to restrain Japan from fulfilling its obligations
under the Tripartite Pact when the United States participates in the war in
Europe, and, as such, it cannot be accepted by the Japanese Government.
JD-1:7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 9 of 14)
The
American Government, obsessed with its own views and opinions, may be said to
be scheming for the extension of the war. While it seeks, on the one hand, to
secure its rear by stabilizing the Pacific area, it is engaged, on the other
hand, in aiding Great Britain and preparing to attack, in the name of
self-defense, Germany and Italy two powers that are striving to establish a new
order in Europe. Such a policy is totally at variance with the many principles
upon which the American Government proposes to found the stability of the
Pacific area through peaceful means.
3.
Where as the American Government, under the principles it rigidly upholds,
objects to settling international issues through military pressure, it is
exercising in conjunction with Great Britain and other nations pressure by
economic power. Recourse to such pressure as a means of dealing with
international relations should be condemned as it is at times more inhuman than
military pressure.
JD-7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 10 of 14)
4.
It is impossible not to reach the conclusion that the American Government
desires to maintain and strengthen, in collusion with Great Britain and other
powers, its dominant position it has hitherto occupied not only in China but in
other areas of East Asia. It is a fact of history that one countr-(45 letters
garbled or missing)-been compelled to observe the status quo under the
Anglo-American policy of imperialistic exploitation and to sacrifice the --es
to the prosperity of the two nations. The Japanese Government cannot tolerate
the perpetuation of such a situation since it directly runs counter to Japan's
fundamental policy to enable all nations to enjoy each its proper place in the
world.
JD1-7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 11 of 14)
The
stipulation proposed by the American Government relative to French Indo-China
is a good exemplification of the above-mentioned American policy. That the six
countries,-Japan, the United States, Great Britain, The Netherlands, China and
Thailand,-excepting France, should undertake among themselves to respect the
territorial integrity and sovereignty of French Indo-China and equality of
treatment in trade and commerce would be tantamount to placing that territory
under the joint guarantee of the governments of those six countries. Apart from
the fact that such a proposal totally ignores the position of France, it is
unacceptable to the Japanese government in that such an arrangement cannot but
be considered as an extension to French Indo-China of a system similar to the
n-(50 letters missed)-sible for the present predicament of East Asia.
JD1-7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902 (Part 12 of 14)
5.
All the items demanded of Japan by the American government regarding China such
as wholesale evacuation of troops or unconditional application of the principle
of Non-Discrimination in International Commerce ignore the actual conditions of
China, and are calculated to destroy Japan's position as the stabilizing factor
of East Asia. The attitude of the American government in demanding Japan not to
support militarily, politically or economically any regime other than the
regime at Chungking, disregarding thereby the existence of the Nanking
government, shatters the very basis of the present negotiation. This demand of
the American government falling, as it does, in line with its above-mentioned
refusal to cease from aiding the Chungking regime, demonstrates clearly the
intention of the American government to obstruct the restoration of normal
relations between Japan and China and the return of peace to East Asia.
JD-1: 7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
December 6, 1941
Purple
#902. (Part 13 of 14)
5.
In brief, the American proposal contains certain acceptable items such as those
concerning commerce, including the conclusion of a trade agreement, mutual
removal of the freezing restrictions, and stabilization of the Yen and Dollar
exchange, or the abolition of extraterritorial rights in China. On the other
hand, however, the proposal in question ignores Japan's sacrifices in the four
years of the China Affair, menaces the empire's existence itself and disparages
its honour and prestige. Therefore, viewed in its entirety, the Japanese
government regrets that it cannot accept the proposal as a basis of
negotiation.
6.
The Japanese government, in its desire for an early conclusion of the
negotiation, proposed that simultaneously with the conclusion of the
Japanese-American negotiation, agreements be signed with Great Britain and
other interested countries. The proposal was accepted by the American
government. However, since the American government has made the proposal of
November 26th as a result of frequent consultations with Great Britain,
Australia, The Netherlands and Chungking, ANDND* presumably by catering to the
wishes of the Chungking regime on the questions of CHTUAL YLOKMMTT** be
concluded that all these countries are at one with the United States in
ignoring Japan's position.
JD-1: 7143 Navy Trans. 12-6-41 (S)
25843
*Probably "and as"
**Probably "China, can but."
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
7 December 1941
(Purple-Eng)
#902 Part 14 of 14
(NOTE.-In
the forwarding instructions to the radio station handling this part, appeared
the plain English phrase "VERY IMPORTANT")
7.
Obviously it is the intention of the American Government to conspire with Great
Britain and other countries to obstruct Japan's efforts toward the
establishment of peace through the creation of a New Order in East Asia, and
especially to preserve Anglo-American rights and interests by keeping Japan and
China at war. This intention has been revealed clearly during the course of the
present negotiations. Thus, the earnest hope of the Japanese Government to
adjust Japanese-American relations and to preserve and promote the peace of the
Pacific through cooperation with the American Government has finally been lost.
The
Japanese Government regrets to have to notify hereby the American Government
that in view of the attitude of the American Government it cannot but consider
that it is impossible to reach an agreement through further negotiations.
25843
JD-1: 7143 (M) Navy trans. 7 Dec. 1941 (S-TT)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)