Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume IV

711.008 North Pacific/247: Telegram

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

Tokyo, December 22, 1937—8 p.m.
[Received December 22—2:03 p.m.]

669. Our 673 [661], December 20, noon.⁸²

1. The Foreign Office today handed us its reply, translation of which is as follows:

“Confidential. Note verbale. The Imperial Foreign Office takes note of the views set forth in the aide-mémoire handed by the American Ambassador at Tokyo to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of their conversation on November 24 as follows:

The American Government is of the opinion that further to defer settlement of the Alaska fisheries problem would incur the risk of serious disturbances being raised on the Pacific Coast, and that time is of the utmost importance in the settlement of these problems. Various labor organizations are concerning themselves with these problems, and apparently have various plans. It is therefore hoped that the Japanese Government will appreciate the need of taking speedy action with a view to eliminating the danger of unfortunate incidents arising by which the situation would be made complicated.

The Imperial Government firmly believes in the justice of its contention that so long as salmon fishing is carried on on the high seas such fishing cannot warrantably be subjected to restriction by another power. Especially is such the case when effort is being made by Japan to coordinate conservation of fishery resources with existing fishing industries. A 3-year project is being undertaken by means of a Government experimental vessel to investigate the degree to which the resources of the high seas are capable of being developed, and it is believed that such official investigations cannot properly be made the grounds for controversy. Nevertheless, in the light of the view of the American Government to which reference has been made, and from the broad viewpoint of relations between Japan and the United States, the Japanese Government at this time and for the time being will on its own initiative suppress pertinent plans of fishing industries, and the above-mentioned investigations arising out of a fixed plan will be suspended. It will be prepared to give this matter as sympathetic consideration as possible.

As it is expected that the discontinuance of the investigations will impose a serious penalty on the Japanese fishing industry, it is, from the standpoint of domestic relations, an extremely delicate matter. Accordingly, the Imperial Government desires that the time of publication of its views shall be decided by arrangement between the American and Japanese Governments.

Tokyo, December 22, 1937.

Addendum: Japanese floating canneries and vessels producing fish meal will, as heretofore, operate in the waters of Bristol Bay, as the American Government is aware. These vessels have no relation whatever to the salmon fishing industry. In the past, those uninformed of the facts have related the operations of the above-mentioned experimental vessels with these vessels, thus tending to give rise to misapprehensions.”

2. The following is a translation of the press communiqué which will be released at a time to be agreed upon between the two Governments.

“Bristol Bay, Alaska, salmon fishery question. Following the experimental salmon fishing operations of experiment ships of the Department, [of] Agriculture and Forestry in Bristol Bay, Alaska, this year and last, persons in American enterprises affected have made a great sensation over the question of fishing in that area by Japanese and recently American public opinion has become increasingly worse. To leave this matter in its present state would be to incur the danger of serious disturbances arising, and consequently for the purpose of clearing up the danger in this disturbed state of affairs, it has become necessary to give consideration to some appropriate solution.

We firmly believe in the justice of the contention that fishing which is limited to the high seas cannot warrantably be subjected to any restriction by another power particularly when Japan is attempting to coordinate conservation of fishery resources with existing fishing industries and to investigate the degree to which the resources of the high seas are capable of being developed and we believe that such official investigations cannot properly be made grounds for controversy.

While making this as our explanation nevertheless the views of persons in affected enterprises in America being as set forth above, and having in mind the broad viewpoint of reconciliation and agreement between Japan and the United States, it has been decided to give as sympathetic consideration as possible to suspending the carrying out of the investigations based on the plan for 1938.”

3. In delivering to us the note the Foreign Office made orally the following statement which is strictly confidential and is not to be divulged to any private persons whatsoever:

a. The last sentence of the second paragraph of the Foreign Office note is to be interpreted by the American Government as an assurance that the Japanese Government will continue in the future as in the past to refrain from issuing licenses to fish for salmon in Alaskan waters. The Japanese Government cannot, in view of the importance to Japan of preserving its right to fish on the high seas, formally and publicly give such an assurance.

b. It has not been easy to abandon an appropriation made by the Diet at the request of the Government but the Japanese Government is prepared to risk censure on this point in order that it may convince the American Government of its desire to seek amicable settlement of this problem.

c. There has been no commercial fishing for salmon in Bristol Bay. The Japanese Government is confident that next season when the Government fishing vessel will not have entered Alaskan waters no evidence will be found of any Japanese vessel fishing for salmon and that the American Government will understand that charges of this tenor are not based on fact.

4. The Foreign Office will be glad to receive indication of the date on which the Department desires publication of the note.

Grew

82. Not printed.