Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume II

711.94/1599

The American Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Arita )⁷³

undated

[List of Points Meriting Special Consideration]

1. The United States is committed to the general proposition that its own well-being is dependent on the well-being of all the nations of the world; and to persuade other nations to associate themselves with that proposition is one of the major functions of American diplomacy.

2. That form of international cooperation which we seek is predicated on an identity of foreign policies, objectives and methods. We would welcome the cooperation by Japan, not only with the United [States] but with all other nations, on the basis of policies and methods to which we are committed. Can Japan’s policy, objectives and methods be formulated in terms which will make possible that form of cooperation which the United States desires?

3. If the various statements which I have made to Your Excellency and to your predecessors during the last three years will be reviewed, it will be seen that there has been no modification whatever of the basic attitude of the American Government with regard to problems in the Far East, along with problems which exist in other parts of the world.

4. In line with American traditions which have been followed for more than 150 years, we seek no concerting with Japan of measures which would be prejudicial to the legitimate rights of third countries. In view of the situation now existing in Europe today, I cannot sufficiently emphasize the importance of these facts.

5. The wise man does not enter into business and other close relations with those whose principles and objectives are radically different from his own. No nation, especially in times like these, can afford to assume that economic interest, without identity of principles and objectives, affords a stable basis of friendship.

6. The United States has never deceived Japan, it has never threatened Japan, it has always fulfilled its promises to Japan, and it has never held out promises of benefit to Japan beyond its power or right to confer. The only benefits which we can promise are those which would naturally flow from cooperation on the basis of friendship and of mutual respect for the rights of each other and for the rights of others.

73. Handed to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs by the American Ambassador in Japan during conversation of June 19, 1940.