611B.9417/101
Memorandum by Mr. Roy Veatch of the Office of the Economic Adviser
| Conversation: | The Japanese Ambassador; |
| Mr. Sayre; | |
| Mr. Dooman; | |
| Mr. Veatch. |
I. Imports into the Philippines of Japanese Cotton Textiles
The Japanese Ambassador called on Mr. Sayre on November 27, 1935, at the suggestion of Mr. Sayre.
[Page 1021]Mr. Sayre stated that information had come to the Department regarding imports into the Philippines of Japanese cotton goods which gave the Department some concern, in connection with the agreement regarding the voluntary regulation of these imports by the Japanese exporters. It was probable that the Japanese were informed of the current figures, but in view of the fact that the Japanese Government had requested earlier that the Philippine Customs Service cooperate with the Japanese exporters in their efforts to regulate imports into the Philippines, Mr. Sayre was glad to hand the Ambassador a statement of the situation as reported by the Philippine Customs Service. (A copy of the statement handed to the Ambassador is attached.94)
The Japanese Ambassador stated that he understood that the Japanese Government was already informed of these figures, and he believed that some action had already been taken to prevent further shipments of cotton piece goods to the Philippines. The Japanese Consul General at Manila had recently been much concerned about the size of Japanese imports, and had kept Tokyo informed of Philippine statistics.
Mr. Sayre said that he was sure that the Japanese had either already taken action or would take action immediately to halt shipments to the Philippines, and he wondered if it would not be desirable to make some public statement of such action in order to allay the fears of the American textile interests and thus to check pressure for some action, either on the part of the Philippine Government or of this Government, which would defeat the purpose of the voluntary arrangement undertaken by the Japanese exporters. It was his feeling that the Japanese could best protect their own interests in connection with this problem by making a public announcement of their policy, stating that shipments to the Philippines of cotton piece goods have been discontinued, and that they will not be resumed until they can be placed in the Philippine market in accordance with the agreement.
The Japanese Ambassador said that he could see the advantage in such action by the Japanese, and he would immediately communicate with his Government with regard to it. He had not himself followed the details of developments in the Philippine market, but Mr. Yoshizawa, Counselor of the Embassy, had kept in close touch with the facts.
Mr. Dooman stated that Mr. Yoshizawa and he had discussed the situation a few days ago, and had agreed that the matter should be taken up further, as soon as possible.
Mr. Sayre assured the Ambassador that officers of the Department would be ready to talk over the matter with Mr. Yoshizawa, or to give whatever assistance they could, in connection with efforts to allay fear [Page 1022] and to preserve the advantages sought by the Japanese through voluntary restriction of their exports to the Philippines. The preparation and release of a statement by the Japanese Government was of course entirely in the hands of the Japanese.
II. Proposed Treaty Governing Alaskan Salmon Fishing95
Mr. Sayre laid the proposal before the Japanese Ambassador along the lines of the attached memorandum,96 explaining that the matter had been presented to the Japanese Government by the American Ambassador in Tokyo but that for some reason a favorable response had not been received. Mr. Sayre stressed the importance of allaying the fears of the Pacific Coast states and Alaska by some such arrangement as that proposed. Mr. Sayre himself was fully convinced that the Japanese Government had no desire whatever to destroy the Alaskan red salmon, but he felt that Government would secure a definite advantage if it could agree with this Government upon a means of assuring the general public of this fact. The American Government on its part, was willing to discuss with the Japanese Government concessions which it might offer in order to make the suggestion attractive to the Japanese.
The Japanese Ambassador stated that he understood the situation, and that he would communicate with his Government and try to get them to “think” some more.