756.94/152: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 29—6:50 a.m.]
516. Our 508, June 28, 8 p.m.6a The following statement was given out last night to the press by the Foreign Office for release in this morning’s papers:
“Some time ago the Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachiro Arita, made a statement that the Japanese Government, from the standpoint of maintaining the peace and stability of East Asia, have deep concern over any development that may affect the status quo of the Netherlands East Indies. The said statement was made with regard to various political, economic, and other matters. Since that time our Government have continued negotiations with the Netherlands Government concerning the questions of trade, enterprises, entry of Japanese to the Netherlands East Indies.
As for the trade question, Japan is deeply interested in the maintenance and further promotion of close commercial relations. An amicable settlement of such a question is not only a demand naturally arising from the relationship of administering to the needs of each other but is an essential requirement in removing all apprehensions, and in promoting friendly relations between Japan and the Netherlands East Indies.
In view of this fact, the Japanese Government have as the first step conducted negotiations with the Netherlands Government in order to assure the exports to Japan of those commodities of the Netherlands East Indies which are deemed essential to Japan. The Governments of the Netherlands and the Netherlands East Indies have declared that they would not take measures which would prevent such commodities as mentioned above from being exported to Japan and that they would comply with Japan’s desires. The Japanese Government appreciate this sincere attitude.
The Japanese Government however are desirous that the Governments of the Netherlands and the Netherlands East Indies actively take appropriate measures in order to definitely assure the exports of the desired quantities of required goods of the Netherlands East Indies, and also dispose promptly [of] the questions regarding the Japanese enterprises and entry of Japanese. In this connection the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Masayuki Tani, held conversations today, June 28, with the Netherlands Minister, General J. C. Pabst.”
- Not printed.↩