Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1935, The Far East, Volume III

611B.9417/84

Memorandum by Mr. Eugene H. Dooman of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs

[Washington,] October 11, 1935.

Conversation:	The Japanese Ambassador;
	Mr. Seijiro Yoshizawa, Counselor of the Japanese Embassy;
	Mr. Sayre;
	Mr. Veatch;
	Mr. Dooman.

After the memorandum of conversation⁸⁰ setting forth the terms of the arrangement in regard to imports of Japanese cotton textiles into the Philippine Islands had been read, Mr. Sayre stated to the Japanese Ambassador that he believed that it had been made clear to the Japanese that the arrangement which had been formulated did not in any way commit the Philippine Government. Mr. Sayre stated that in giving the Japanese Ambassador the assurance that the American Government does not contemplate the taking of action directed toward securing an increase in the Philippine duties on cotton piece goods, it was not intended that the Philippine Government should be regarded in any way as being a part of the American Government, and he wished to make it clear that in the course of their various conversations nothing said by either the Japanese Ambassador or Mr. Sayre was intended to or could preclude in any way full liberty of action on the part of the Philippine Government. The Japanese Ambassador replied that he clearly appreciated these facts and that the arrangement that had been formulated would be in no way binding on the Philippine Government.

Mr. Sayre and the Japanese Ambassador then initialed duplicate copies of the attached memorandum of conversation, one copy of which was handed by Mr. Sayre to the Japanese Ambassador.

Mr. Sayre stated that it was extremely gratifying to him that the two Governments had been able to adjust this problem in a friendly manner. The Japanese Ambassador concurred.

Mr. Sayre then raised the question of making public the terms of the arrangement, pointing out the desirability; of proceeding with the matter as rapidly as possible. Mr. Yoshizawa explained that the Embassy had been instructed to inform the Department that the Japanese Government did not expect that any public announcement would be made. He assumed that the Japanese Government had erroneously supposed that the memorandum of conversation which had just been initialed would be made public. The Embassy was taking steps to correct the Foreign Office in that regard, and he hoped that a reply would be received tomorrow indicating assent to there being given out by the Department some public statement.

After some further discussion in regard to this matter, it was arranged that the Department would issue a press release for publication in the papers of Sunday morning, October 13, and that the Japanese Embassy, in so notifying the Foreign Office, would request that no statement be issued in Japan for publication earlier than in the papers of the same date.

The conversation terminated with the exchanges of congratulation upon the successful conclusion of the negotiations.

80. Infra.