[Secret]
 
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
November 16, 1941
Purple (CA) (Urgent)
# ----
 

For your Honor's own information.

 

1. I have read your #1090 [a], and you may be sure that you have all my gratitude for the efforts you have put forth, but the fate of our Empire hangs by the slender thread of a few days, so please fight harder than you ever did before.

 

2. What you say in the last paragraph of your message is, of course, so and I have given it already the fullest consideration, but I have only to refer you to the fundamental policy laid down in my #725. [b] Will you please try to realize what that means. In your opinion we ought to wait and see what turn the war takes and remain patient. However, I am awfully sorry to say that the situation renders this out of the question. I set the deadline for the solution of these negotiations in my #736, [c] and there will be no change. Please try to understand that. You see how short the time is; therefore, do not allow the United States to sidetrack us and delay the negotiations any further. Press them for a solution on the basis of our proposals, and do your best to bring about an immediate solution.

 
Army 24878                                           Trans. 11/17/41 (S)
 
[a] For Part 1, see S.I.S. #24877. For Part 2, see S.I.S. #24857 in which NOMURA gives his views on the general situation. Part 3 not available. 
[b] S.I.S. #24330 in which TOGO says that conditions both within and without the Japanese Empire will not permit any further delay in resolving a settlement with the United States. 
[c] S.I.S. #24373 in which TOGO says that it is absolutely necessary that all arrangements for the signing of this agreement be completed by the 25th of this month.
 

(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)