611B.9417/62a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Neville)
148. Please call at your early convenience on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and read to him a message from me, as follows:
“The Japanese Government has on several occasions requested that the American Government take no action looking toward the placing of restrictions upon the importation of Japanese commodities without first having consulted the Japanese Government and thus affording the Japanese Government an opportunity to adjust by voluntary action conditions calling for remedy. The American Government has followed this practice on several occasions, particularly in respect to the Philippine Islands, in which case it has sought the cooperation of the Japanese Government in order to stabilize competition in the Philippine cotton textile market. For 5 months we have earnestly endeavored to conclude within such limits as are practicable some arrangement which would be mutually satisfactory to both the Japanese and the American Governments, and we had thought, in view of the information conveyed to us by the Japanese Ambassador on September 20, that essential agreement had been reached. It is, therefore, a keen disappointment to me now to learn from the Japanese Ambassador that the Japanese Government has taken a position which if maintained would appear to preclude the possibility of adjusting conditions in regard to the Philippine textile market by voluntary and cooperative action.
[Page 998]I earnestly hope that Your Excellency will be so good as to give this matter your earnest consideration, to the end that the extended negotiations will be brought to a successful and prompt conclusion, thus demonstrating the determination of our respective Governments to solve in a cooperative and friendly manner problems of mutual concern.”
Please orally inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs that urgency is particularly necessary in order that we may be able to announce the outcome of our negotiations. We are reluctant to believe that the suggested statement handed us today by the Japanese Ambassador is a final one and would greatly appreciate a prompt clarification on this point.
It is suggested that you find an opportunity to discuss the matter with Kurusu before calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs.