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Memorandum of a Conversation 25
The Japanese Ambassador called at the Secretary’s apartment by appointment made at the Secretary’s request.26
The Secretary went over briefly with the Ambassador the main points of the “Oral Statement” marked “Informal and Unofficial”, which he later handed to the Ambassador and of which a copy is attached with its annexes.27 The Secretary emphasized that we had endeavored in drafting the “Oral Statement” to be fair to all concerned.
In reply to a question by the Ambassador as to whether the Secretary wished to imply that under the American Government’s interpretation of self-defense the United States might become involved in the European war even if its territory was not attacked, the Secretary observed that if and as an aggressor in the course of his aggression against other countries makes manifest a purpose of unlimited conquest it is necessary for other countries to take appropriate measures of self-protection and self-defense. Our policy of assistance to Great Britain was an illustration of the kind of measures which he meant. As to what other action this Government might take, this would depend upon what the military authorities of this Government would deem essential to our protection and self-defense in any given circumstances.
The Ambassador said that it went without saying that Japan desired only peaceful relations with the United States, but that at the same time Japan might be faced with the question of carrying out in good faith any obligations it might be called upon to perform under Article III of the Axis Alliance. The Secretary said that in his opinion the explanatory statement, consisting chiefly of excerpts from an address he had made some three weeks ago, would make the attitude of this Government on the matter of self-defense very clear. The Secretary said that he felt that the Japanese would feel the same way as we do under similar circumstances. He referred to the suggestions which we had offered for a formula under Section II of the Japanese proposal in regard to relations of the United States and Japan to the European war as defining our respective relations clearly.
The Ambassador said that it was the earnest hope of Japan that [Page 428] the Government of the United States would find itself able at the earliest possible moment to request the Chinese Government to enter into negotiations with Japan for a peace settlement. He expressed the hope that there would be no dilatory tactics on the part of the Chinese.
The Secretary observed that if we could dispose of these two points which had been brought up in a preliminary way no reason was perceived why we could not then proceed rapidly with consideration of the proposal as a whole.
There was some discussion of the questions of joint defense against communism and the recognition of Manchuria. The Secretary indicated that if China and Japan could agree on the other points listed in the Japanese “Annex and Explanation” he did not believe that difficulties which might arise over these two points would be such as to prevent an agreement between China and Japan.
The Secretary referred briefly to the reciprocal feature of our suggested redraft of Section V of the Japanese proposal, which relates to the economic activity of the Southwest Pacific area, and expressed the hope that subsequently other countries could be brought in. He alluded in this connection to the fact that the benefits of our trade program in South America are enjoyed by all nations.
The Secretary suggested that before proceeding further with our discussion the Ambassador might wish to study the document handed the Ambassador, and he added that he would be ready to see the Ambassador at any time.
The Ambassador and his associates did not offer any critical comment with respect to the Secretary’s observations or give any express indication of their attitude toward the Secretary’s “Oral Statement”. They did not, of course, have an opportunity to examine the document during the interview.