711.942/386: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
688. Reference my 686, December 18, 6 p.m.37 My 687, December 18, 10 p.m., transmitted in translation the pro memoria upon which were based the Japanese Foreign Minister’s remarks in his conversation today with me. The following points were also touched upon: [Page 52]
- (1)
- When the Foreign Minister divided Japanese-American problems into two categories, “negative” and “positive,” I pointed out the existence of certain differences of opinion between Japan and the United States involving questions of fundamental principles, which might not fall within either category mentioned, as he apparently supposed. I said that these basic considerations had been presented clearly in documents which were left with him at the meeting on November 4.
- (2)
- I do not recollect having spoken on November 4 to the Foreign Minister of a possible bringing about of “a speedy” reversal of American public opinion.
- (3)
- Following completion by the Foreign Minister of his statement and expression by me of my personal appreciation of the Japanese Government’s efforts to improve Japanese-American relations, I conveyed orally, informally, and fully to the Foreign Minister as under my Government’s instruction the reactions of the Department to the statements made to me on November 4 by the Minister (see Department’s 392, December 8, 8 p.m., paragraph 4) and with regard to American claims (see Department’s 390, December 8, 6 p.m.38). Included was the observation by the Department that it feels the efforts of the Japanese authorities have thus far little more than “touched the fringe of the problem.”
- (4)
- Concerning monopolies in China, the Foreign Minister said it had become necessary to organize “economic blocs” of Japan, China, and “Manchukuo” in order to overcome difficulties in national defense questions. However, exclusion of other countries is not intended, while Japan is “quite ready to welcome foreign capital.” To this, I inquired: “On a non-discriminatory basis?” and the Foreign Minister replied merely that foreign participation in these groupings would be welcome.
- (5)
- Regarding currency questions, he commented that the Japanese Army had to be financed but that discriminations would be modified when fighting had stopped and a Chinese Government had been established. He said all of these “inconveniences” would be modified gradually.
- (6)
- In concluding the conversation, the Foreign Minister spoke “off the record” to the effect that Japan and the United States must in their own interest prevent the European war’s spread to the Far East and that conciliation between Japan and the United States will powerfully assist to avoid such a contingency.
Grew