793.94119/378: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
10. Reference is made to the Ambassador’s telegram No. 23 of January 12, 11 p.m.,67 and to general considerations.
The Department suggests to the Ambassador the serving of a possible useful purpose should there be conveyed at this time to the Japanese Government, while the Imperial Conference is considering matters [Page 436] of gravest import, a mention of the following points: That Japan has the eyes of the world upon it; that a profound effect upon the welfare and prosperity of the whole world may be had through the decisions reached by the conference; that all mutually beneficial and normal activities in and respecting China have been seriously disturbed for the past six months by the fighting going on in China; that political, economic, and social tensions and dislocations are being produced by the fighting and are adversely affecting not only Japan and China but also other nations; that various adverse effects from and of this conflict cannot be escaped in any way by the other countries of the world or even by Japan, with further extension, intensification, and prolongation of the hostilities inevitably increasing the concern of other nations suffering from these adverse effects and adding to the possibility of unfortunate international complications; that the United States Government is convinced that it would be in the best interests of other nations and also of Japan for the principles of policy set forth in the Secretary’s statement of July 16 last68 to be practically applied; and that the United States earnestly hopes the Japanese Government’s decisions will be fully in keeping with the best Japanese traditions of high-minded, farseeing, and wise statesmanship.
The Secretary adds his realization that the making of such an approach at this time to the Japanese Government is a delicate question and that it is highly desirable to avoid an appearance of foreign intrusion into matters of Japanese internal political deliberations. The suggestion is made, however, that a friendly talk by the Ambassador with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs along the lines indicated might be fruitful of more good than harm.
The Secretary leaves to the Ambassador’s discretion whether an approach such as outlined above should be made and also, if the Ambassador decides affirmatively, whether he should speak on his own initiative or as under instruction from his Government.
The foregoing does not imply or contemplate mediation by the United States.