711.942/403: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 22—3:56 p.m.]
699. Department’s 410, December 21, 7 p.m.
- 1.
- In my interview with Minister for Foreign Affairs this evening I conveyed to him orally the two separate statements substantially as set forth in paragraphs numbered 1 and 2 of the Department’s [Page 628] telegram under reference. The statement quoted in Department’s 402, December 18, 2 p.m.48 was read and handed to the Minister in the form of a pro memoria.
- 2.
- I likewise acknowledge receipt of Department’s 405, December 20, 8 [7] p.m.49 and 409, December 21, 5 [6] p.m.50
- 3.
- The Minister replied orally in Japanese and the following is a
translation of his remarks as later handed to me by the interpreter:
“The fact that the American Government has decided to take measures to facilitate normal commercial relations even after the termination of the effectiveness of the Japan-America commercial treaty and Your Excellency’s efforts in this direction are greatly appreciated. However, the question of the commercial treaty is not limited to the commercial relations between the two countries but does rather in many ways relate to the general relations between our two countries. For example, even if commercial relations are maintained on a nearly normal basis without specific agreement, it is impossible to forecast day to day conditions in such relations. This is an uncertain prospect. In view of these considerations and looking to the improvement of relations between the United States and Japan from the broad viewpoint, I earnestly request that Your Excellency’s Government give very careful consideration to the question of concluding a modus vivendi.
I may inform Your Excellency that, as Mr. Yoshizawa, Chief of the American Bureau, has already communicated to Mr. Dooman, Counselor of Your Excellency’s Embassy, the Japanese Government after careful study of the question from the above viewpoint has prepared a draft modus vivendi and has telegraphed this draft to Ambassador Horinouchi in Washington; and has informed that he may submit the draft plan to the State Department in Washington at a propitious moment during his conversation there.”
- 4.
- In subsequent conversation I repeatedly made clear the fact that what is now needed is concrete implementation of Japanese assurance that the American rights and legitimate interests in China will be respected on a non-discriminatory basis.
- 5.
- The following press release was mutually agreed upon in substance
and definite assurances were given me that no publicity beyond
release would be given out by the Foreign Office:
“The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the American Ambassador this afternoon continued their conversations with regard to matters of interest to the two countries. Both the Minister and the Ambassador indicated a mutually helpful attitude towards a solution of the problems under discussion. Progress was made. The conversations will be continued.”
- 6.
- I am informed by American newspaper correspondents that in spite of the foregoing assurances the spokesman of the Foreign Office [Page 629] later gave out a statement to the effect that I had assured the Minister that a non-treaty situation would not arise. It is needless to say that in my presentation to the Minister I adhered strictly to the precise letter of the Department’s instructions. The reasons for this inaccurate and unauthorized publicity are obvious.