[Secret]
 
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
November 18, 1941
Purple
#788 (Strictly Secret)
 

Re your #1098. [a]

 

1. It is hard to prophesy the future course of events, but in the case of "B" if we carry out the first sailing proposal in my #786 [a] for: (a) the remaining officials; (b) such persons as must absolutely not be held back; (c) company employees; and (d) all residents who were unable to board the three ships previously dispatched, the matter can be satisfactorily handled. We will at this sailing have the families of our various diplomatic officials as well as members of their staffs who must return to Japan, without an exception, board the ship. However, we do not intend to warn any save those of our residents who must of a certainty return to sail. The number of those who actually embarked at the first sailing was much smaller than the original number of applicants. The reason was, doubtless, nostalgia and a reluctance to part with their property.

 

2. Will you secretly, therefore, suitably advise the several consuls to take the following steps: (a) to help our citizens who remain behind to work together for the common good; (b) to destroy immediately such secret documents and so forth as are in the possession of Japanese companies and chambers of commerce.

 

3. We are now studying ways and means of cooperation between our diplomatic officials and our consulates, as well as responsibility for the interests of our high offices in case of "B". We will negotiate concerning the latter here in Tokyo.

 

4. I am wiring you next a plan for reducing the members of staffs.

 
Army 24976                                           Trans. 11/19/41 (S)
 
[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)