Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

894.6363/298: Telegram

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

Tokyo, December 19, 1936—6 p.m.
[Received December 19—10:35 a.m.]

264. Department’s 160, December 17, 2 p.m.

1. I have discussed with my British colleague the question of representations concerning the oil situation along the lines suggested by the Department.

2. In view of the attitude of the Department, Clive will recommend to his Government that a further diplomatic approach approximately simultaneous and substantially identical in character be made by us in Tokyo. He, however, feels very strongly that a further approach of this nature would be ineffective and insufficient to secure results. During the past 2 years we have repeatedly supported our oil companies by diplomatic representations here with almost negative results. The present Minister and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs⁹⁰ have probably never familiarized themselves with the details of the situation and would merely pass on to the Ministry of Commerce copies of the aides-mémoires which we would present. In the Ministry of Commerce the matter is handled by an official⁹¹ who is known to be anti-foreign in his attitude while the new Vice Minister is less helpfully inclined than was his predecessor Yoshino. The polite written inquiry (sent after oral assurances had been given) from the oil companies in regard to assurances for future trade evoked a reply of which the Japanese text was offensive in tone. Clive, therefore, feels that the time has come for a new method of procedure and believes that our representations here would be given emphasis if a day or two prior to our representations, the anxiety of our two Governments regarding the future in Japan of the foreign oil interests and their desire that assurances as to the intentions of the Japanese Government be given in writing were appropriately presented to the Japanese Ambassadors in Washington and London.

3. After the most careful consideration I incline to the opinion that representations from both ends of the line would serve to emphasize the unsatisfactory nature of the situation.

4. Our recommendations for “strong representations” did not envisage anything further than a formal approach such as was suggested in the Department’s 160.⁹² We feel, however, that unless the situation is now presented with marked emphasis our representations will be dealt with by the Foreign Office as a matter of diplomatic routine with only negative results. We obviously do not envisage anything in the nature of “demands” which would defeat their own purpose.

5. We doubt the advisability of an approach to the Prime Minister. Such procedure is not understood in Japan and by going over the head of Foreign Office and, therefore, causing the Foreign Minister a loss of face the result might be more harmful than helpful to the oil interests. If the Department approves, however, I could take a favorable opportunity after the formal representations have been made to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss the situation informally with the Prime Minister.

6. As we are now on the threshold of the holidays when only the most pressing business is dealt with by the Departments of the Japanese Government, we feel that no step should be taken until after January 8. My British colleague will probably recommend that, in the meantime, the British Ambassador in Washington be instructed to discuss the matter with the Department.

7. No action has been taken under the authorization in the Department’s 140, November 6, 3 p.m., as the request for this authorization contemplated only the confirmation by the Foreign Office of such assurances as the oil interests might receive from the Ministry of Commerce. The oil interests have received no satisfactory assurances for confirmation.

Grew

90. Hachiro Arita and Kensuke Horinouchi.
91. Chief of the Fuel Section, Bureau of Mining Industry (Sakai).
92. Dated December 17, 2 p.m., p. 800.