711.94/1304
Memorandum, by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: It is my judgment that it would be wise for you to take a definitely discouraging attitude in regard to the suggestion offered to Mr. Aldrich29 by the Japanese Financial Commissioner that a senior vice president of a leading bank, an important railroad man and a steel man visit Japan as a sort of “mission of good will”.
For over two years this Government has been making continuous representations to the Japanese Government in regard to the impairment by Japanese agencies of American rights and interests in China. In reply to some of these representations, the Japanese Government has given assurances to respect American rights and interests. The impairments have, however, steadily continued. The present situation calls for action by the Japanese Government which would put an end to impairment of American rights and interests. It does not call for the making by this Government or by the American people of any “gesture” toward Japan.
The Department has long been of the opinion that no useful purpose is served by the sending by Japan to this country of good will missions or envoys. Such missions are the subject of misinterpretation and serve to arouse undesirable speculation in many quarters.
An American good will mission to Japan, such as that suggested by the Japanese Financial Commissioner, would likewise be the subject of misinterpretation and would occasion speculation and misunderstanding in many countries. The Japanese Government and people would undoubtedly utilize the sending of such a mission to endeavor [Page 547] to persuade the Japanese people that the American people (and perhaps the Government) had decided to adopt a conciliatory attitude toward Japan; that American business and financial interests were in close and cordial contact with Japanese business and financial interests; and that there were prospects that American banks and business interests would extend credits to Japan. As you know, we have hoped that American business and financial interests would not during the present situation extend credits to Japan.
The sending of such a good will mission to Japan would undoubtedly be utilized by the Japanese Government to make political capital in China and in other countries. Moreover, the sending of such a mission would serve to discourage the Chinese Government and people.
In other countries the sending of such a mission would also be likely to occasion undesirable speculation and unwarranted interpretations.
In my opinion the sending of such a mission would serve no useful purpose and would be likely to serve purposes definitely disadvantageous to the policies of this Government and the interests of this country.
- Winthrop W. Aldrich, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chase National Bank, New York.↩