711.942/419: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

712. Our 708, December 27, 3 p.m.

1.
Most of the papers this morning carry stories which reflect the pessimism characterizing the statements yesterday of the Foreign [Page 633] Office spokesman to both Japanese and foreign correspondents. The following is a summary of the Asahi’s article:

“The feeling of optimism prevailing after Ambassador Grew’s intimation that a treatyless period might be avoided is not justified because many important matters such as the right of residence of merchants, consular rights, trade marks, et cetera, will remain unsettled by the administrative orders not to apply discriminatory taxes, et cetera, against Japan. It is significant that the American Government has already urged the placing of moral embargoes against Japan in regard to certain military supplies.55 The American action in abrogating the treaty was not designed to injure commercial relations but to make possible the imposition of an embargo. Hence the administrative orders above mentioned cannot interfere as an expression of a friendly spirit. By announcing the impending opening of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers the Japanese Government has undertaken in good faith to work for peace and adjustment of American-Japanese relations. If the American Government makes no friendly response grave injury will be done to those relations for which the responsibility must rest with America.”

2.
The article which appeared in the Kokumin is of especial interest. This paper has never taken an optimistic view of the situation and has consistently attacked the Government for the decision to reopen the Yangtze:

“To the Foreign Minister’s preliminary effort to improve relations with America by the Yangtze offer the American Government has responded merely with certain administrative measures designed to mitigate the effect of a treatyless condition. Furthermore, the American Government has not only postponed negotiations for a treaty or a modus vivendi but has also brought up the matter of the Open Door in China. Thus the American Government ignores the new order in Asia and Japan’s special position. Despite the grave aspects of the matter the Foreign Office spokesman made an unduly optimistic statement, whereupon Counselor Dooman visited the Foreign Office and declared as follows: ‘Although the Foreign Office spokesman’s statement conveys the impression that treaty negotiations have already commenced, the facts are the contrary, and the American Government may be obliged to issue a correction. If such statement is the result of a misunderstanding by the authorities, a correction should be made, but if on the other hand the statement was issued for purposes of internal policy I wish to point out the dangerous effect on public feeling when eventually the facts are learned.’ Mr. Dooman’s declaration makes it plain that there will be no treaty after January 26 and that the only thing remaining will be certain exemptions unilaterally extended which are subject to instant cancellation by the United States. His declaration makes it plain that by using the treaty as a weapon the United States is attempting to prevent the progress of the China affair and the establishment of the new order, thus the meaning of the Yangtze offer is being ignored by the American Government and the inefficiency of Foreign Minister Nomura’s diplomacy is being exposed.”

3.
It is clear that the difficulties involved in setting up a new treaty of commerce and navigation or a modus vivendi are now being seen here in accurate perspective.
Grew
  1. See pp. 475 ff.