740.0011 European War 1939/14615
Oral Statement Handed by the Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ohashi) to the American Ambassador in Japan (Grew) on July 17, 1941
On behalf of the Japanese Government, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the reply, dated July 16, 1941, of the American Government to the inquiry made in the communication handed to Your Excellency at the request of the Prime Minister Prince Konoye for delivery to the President of the United States on July 7, 1941 and wish to thank the American Government for the troubles they have kindly taken.
The Japanese Government do not feel disposed to enter into discussion regarding the points raised in the reply of the American Government. They cannot, however, pass unnoticed any intimation or suggestion on the part of the American Government, or, for that matter, any Governments, to invoke unlimitedly the so-called right of self-defence, claiming the right to extend it wherever they like. Neither can they concur in the indictment of Germany nor can they persuade themselves to acceed [sic] to the claim of the American Government that “any intimations or suggestions that the United States should desist from its policy of self-defense and protection would in actual fact range those making such suggestions or intimations on the side of those favoring or facilitating the aims of the aggressor nations to conquer the world by force.”