394.115 Panay/58: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—10:26 a.m.]
631. Department’s 342, December 13, 8 p.m. After being detained all afternoon at a conference with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs received me at the Foreign Office at 8:30 o’clock when I read to him and presented a signed note embodying the Department’s text. I pointed out orally that while the Japanese note delivered to me this afternoon (Embassy’s 630, December 14, 6 p.m.) was responsive to some of the points set forth by my Government, it did not meet all of them, as, for example, assurances as to the future safeguarding of American nationals, interests and property in China from unlawful interference by any Japanese authorities or forces whatsoever and that I would, therefore, expect an answer. Hirota promised me a prompt reply. Hirota added, “I wish to do everything in my power to maintain good relations with the United States.”
Repeated to Peiping, for Ambassador Johnson.