793.94/14546: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29—9:45 a.m.]
812. 1. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will issue on New Year’s Day a message, of which the following is an outline with quotation of significant portions. It is requested that no public reference to this message be made until released on January 1.
- (a)
- The first three paragraphs refer to the occupation by Japan of important areas in China, to the conversion of the Chinese Government into a provincial regime, to the development in China of a movement [Page 439] hostile to Chiang Kai Shek and to the establishment by Japan of a new order “by sweeping away old conceptions of the Orient as a colony for occidental capitalistic countries and by modifying international policies based on such ideas”.
- (b)
- Turning next to international cooperation against communism the message states “at this point the Japanese nation must express its heartfelt thanks to Germany and Italy who understand the position of Japan in eagerly pushing on toward the great objective of anti-communism. They accurately recognize the actual state of affairs in East Asia and show a sincere attitude in extending helping hands to the pacific construction works in this part of the world”.
- (c)
- Reference is made to American and British attitude in the following terms: “Especially is it a matter of deep regret that some third powers are adopting policies of open assistance to the National Government, thus putting off the termination of hostilities …81 furthermore, in view of the fact that some powers, in their eagerness to safeguard their rights and interests in China, have presented unreasonable requests regardless of the actual state of affairs in the zone of hostilities or are trying to readjust the new situation, created by the hostilities, on the basis of anachronistic ideas, we deeply feel the necessity of making strenuous efforts in the future to correct the misunderstandings of these powers and to officials of the [sic] international relations”.
2. The only features of this message which are in any way new are, first, the reference to “occidental capitalistic countries” in an uncomplimentary context and one which would suggest that Japan maintains economic and political systems different from those maintained by such countries, and second, the suggestion that Germany and Italy, “by recognizing the actual state of affairs in East Asia” may expect to enjoy more fully than others the right of the Open Door in China.
Repeated to Chungking.
- Omission indicated in the original.↩