711.94/2624
Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
I was invited to lunch alone with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs today and we had a long talk together for two hours and a half which he requested should be regarded as off the record. We discussed, along lines largely parallel to the Under Secretary’s conversation on October 13 with Mr. Wakasugi (Department’s telegram 661, October 14, 10 p.m.32) and previous conversations in Tokyo and Washington, the present status of the exploratory conversations now progressing in Washington.
During my meeting with the Vice Minister today the only point of importance which emerged was the observation of Mr. Amau that the German Government is insistently pressing for the issuance of a statement by the Japanese Government in confirmation of the interpretation given to the Tripartite Pact by Mr. Matsuoka, to the effect that Japan will declare war on the United States in the event of war occurring between Germany and the United States. As a reply, although it has not yet been decided when or whether such reply will be rendered to the German Government, the Japanese Government is considering a formula of a noncommittal nature to the effect that maintenance of peace in the Pacific is envisaged in the Tripartite Pact and that the attention of the American Government has been sought for its earnest consideration of Japan’s obligations under the Pact.
- Not printed; see memorandum by the Under Secretary of State, October 13, 1941, supra.↩