711.94/1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 5—11:05 a.m.]
167. The Foreign Minister yesterday discussed Japanese-American relations in reply to interpellations in the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives. Since we are informed that the New York Times correspondent has cabled a full text of Mr. Matsuoka’s remarks, the principal points made by the Foreign Minister as reported in today’s vernacular press are summarized. During the course of the interpellation the Foreign Minister emphasized that his statements were not irresponsible remarks but were based on careful thought, that his bold manner of speech was particularly adapted to American consumption. He stated that Japan must clarify its true intentions and national power, that American illusions regarding Japan must be dissipated and that every effort to avoid a Japanese-American clash must be exerted.
- 1.
- Most wars are caused by misunderstandings. In the present case American doubts as to Japan’s economic strength must be removed and on the other hand the national strength, intentions and resolution of the United States must be explained to the Japanese.
- 2.
- Japanese-American relations have greatly worsened since the conclusion of the tripartite pact which, however, aims to prevent an American-Japanese conflict and especially to prevent American entry into the European war.
- 3.
- Highly important objectives of the tripartite pact are conciliation between Japan and Soviet Russia and betterment of relations between [Page 136] the Soviet Union and the other Axis powers. The Kokumin, commenting on this phase of the Foreign Minister’s remarks, calls it a hint that the Soviet Union may be included in the Axis.
- 4.
- The greatest cause of friction between Japan and the United States is Japan’s southward advance. Every effort must be made to explain to the United States that the southward advance is not a policy antagonistic to America.
- 5.
- The Kokumin attributes certain remarks to the Foreign Minister published in no other vernacular to the effect that even if the United States were victorious in a war with Japan and occupied the country the Japanese nation would rise again even as Germany emerged from the harsh conditions imposed at the end of the first World War and the Foreign Minister reportedly reiterated that a clash between the two great Pacific powers must be avoided for the sake of world peace. Following this statement a blank space apparently indicates deletion by the censors of certain of the Minister’s remarks.