494.11/117: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
390.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Secretary refers to the Ambassador’s telegram No. 639 of November 29, 7 p.m.,5 reporting that virtually all of the 59 replies which the Ambassador had received recently from the Japanese Foreign Office to the United States Government’s representations regarding damage to American interests and property in China contained what are in effect disclaimers of responsibility.
It is suggested that the Ambassador informally approach the Japanese Foreign Office and, after mentioning publicity currently emanating from Japan regarding Japanese “settlement” and “payment” of American claims, state that it is considered by the United States Government that a basis for expecting Japanese payment of equitable amounts to compensate injured American claimants is not afforded by the solatium offers made at Shanghai and the recent replies at Tokyo to American representations; that, in the opinion of the American Government, no constructive purpose is served by publicity of such character; and that additional publicity of the kind may impel the American Government, in the interests of giving the public a well-rounded idea of the situation, to publish figures and statements which would cover the situation as a whole.
- Not printed.↩