Office of the Historian

793.94/6634a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, May 1, 1934—7 p.m.

61. Substance of Secretary’s background talk at press conference today, not for attribution to himself or the Department, made before the receipt of any reaction to our statement,88 is given for your guidance:

It is and has been the policy of the United States Government for many years to cooperate with the efforts and professed desire of the Japanese Government to strengthen the traditional relations of friendship between the two countries. To carry out this policy as successfully as possible, it has been our view that the less agitation and excitement injected into any differences between the conceptions of the two Governments regarding any particular question the more likely would its adjustment be satisfactory and in a spirit of better understanding and harmony. With that in view it has been the policy of our government to talk as little as possible and to discuss the questions that arise in a spirit of friendliness in order that their determination might be reached in an amicable way. It would be most helpful to both countries, in accomplishing this common purpose, if we would point to and emphasize the letter and spirit of such communications as those recently exchanged by the Japanese Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State rather than seek out and rake together various reports and news items emanating from Japanese sources and the [to] reply with respect to them. Our communication was a statement of principles, attitudes and one might say of intentions which we think correctly and properly govern the course of our Government in conducting its foreign affairs. Our statement has a message for China and other countries as well as Japan. The courses of the British and our Governments have been independent but not unnaturally along parallel lines. Each has emphasized the importance of treaties, rights, obligations and interests of each country alike under treaties.

Hull
  1. Released April 30, Department of State, Press Releases, May 5, 1934, p. 244.↩