711.94/1322: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
326. Your 543, October 23, 7 p.m.2 With reference to indications in the press articles quoted by you that the Minister for Foreign Affairs expects to engage in informal talks with you looking toward an adjustment of Japanese-American relations, I was asked various questions in regard to this matter at my conference on October 23 with press correspondents. I said in reply to specific questions that I had nothing more in mind by way of comment than the correspondents would have in mind in regard to the projected talks mentioned; that I had nothing new on whether the Japanese intended to take up the question of a possible new treaty; and that there was nothing that I could say which would be helpful in regard to the possibility of there being negotiated a modus vivendi.
Should the Foreign Minister bring up with you the subject mentioned in the first sentence of the foregoing paragraph the Department relies upon your judgment and your knowledge of the general attitude of this Government in regard to questions underlying American-Japanese relations as to what you should say in the presence of such an approach. The Department feels, moreover, that, as it is impossible to anticipate the form which such an approach might take, it would be impracticable for it to endeavor to formulate precise instructions in advance. Should the Minister for Foreign Affairs bring up the question of a new commercial agreement, it might be advantageous for you to be in position to say that you are without instructions, and the department suggests that you may wish to indicate to the Foreign Minister that you must refer that matter to your Government for its consideration.
- Not printed.↩