711.942/421
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Ambassador of Japan called at his own request. He said that he came in to bring to my attention the question of the renewal of the treaty of commerce and amity thus far existing between our two Governments, and especially to raise the question of a modus vivendi to be agreed upon, if possible, before the expiration of the present treaty. He proceeded to say that his Government was striving to correct [Page 627] military abuses to our detriment in China, and that it would greatly strengthen its hand if some progress were made toward the renewal of the commercial treaty. He then very definitely expressed the hope that we could go forward. He suggested a modus vivendi.
I first expressed the appreciation of this Government for the efforts of the Government of Japan to abolish these injuries and abuses in China. I then continued by saying that Ambassador Grew has been carrying on conversations with the Japanese Foreign Minister in regard to a number of differences between our two Governments; that this Government has supplied him with all the necessary data for such conversations and discussions on all phases of the treaty of commerce and amity between our two countries; that this Government is now awaiting results from Tokyo; and that in the meantime it is keeping the matter of a modus vivendi open.
I soon gathered the impression that the Ambassador had come in for the purpose of offering me a copy of a proposed draft of a modus vivendi, and I accordingly endeavored in different ways to discourage him in advance by remarking that, of course, I was glad, as a matter of courtesy, to talk with the Ambassador, or to receive any views he was undertaking to express, but that I again should say that the discussions of the matter are in the hands of Ambassador Grew, and hence are being awaited before further discussions here. The Ambassador then handed me a draft of a modus vivendi together with a note and an additional explanatory statement.47 I thanked him without looking at the papers, and added that I could only reiterate the statements I had already made, clearly setting forth the present attitude of this Government concerning all the matters of difference between our two Governments. The Ambassador said he understood but had evidently been instructed to hand me those papers in any event. He emphasized his readiness at all times to come in for further discussions, but I gave no indication in return.