Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East; The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

893.102 Tientsin/335

The Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew), Temporarily in the United States

Washington, July 4, 1939.

Dear Mr. Grew: I enclose copy of a proposed note to the Japanese Government⁹⁸ which the Department has prepared. Prior to telegraphing the text of the note to Dooman for presentation to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Department sent Dooman by telegraph a comprehensive summary of the text of the note⁹⁹ and asked for an expression of his opinion whether the present was an opportune time to present the note. Dooman replied in a telegram of July 3,¹ a paraphrase of which I enclose.

In talking over Dooman’s telegram with the Secretary yesterday, the Secretary suggested that it would be very helpful if we could have the benefit of your views on the following two points: (1) whether you concur in Dooman’s view that the present would not be an opportune time to send such a note; and if so (2) whether in your opinion the Japanese are likely to feel that this Government is somewhat indifferent to the issue presented by the present Tientsin situation. In this connection I enclose a copy of a statement which the Secretary issued to the press on June 19.²

You will note that in paragraph four of Dooman’s telegram of July 3, Dooman expresses the opinion that we have a choice of only two alternatives. On that point the Secretary commented that there is an additional course open, which is the one we are endeavoring to follow at this time, namely, the endeavor to keep alive to the Japanese and to our own people our continued belief in certain fundamental principles which we are convinced furnish the only basis for healthy relationships among nations. We believe in those principles, we can’t ignore their disregard in one half of the world, and we consider that they should be regarded as applicable to all parts of the world. Any suggestions which occur to you as to how we might further our objective of keeping alive the fact that we continue to believe in these principles would be very much appreciated.

If you have any suggestions in regard to the text of the proposed note, they would be heartily welcomed.

There is enclosed also a copy of the text of the reply³ which we have prepared to the message from the Japanese Prime Minister⁴ delivered by you to the Secretary. The text is substantially as it was when you were here with the exception of the last paragraph which has been altered to indicate that we would be glad to receive further information in regard to the idea advanced by the Prime Minister. We had contemplated having Dooman deliver the proposed reply and the proposed note at the same time.

We are sorry to bother you with matters of official business during your leave, but we shall find most helpful your judgment on the matters under discussion.

Would you be so good as to telephone me at the Department, collect, at your early convenience as to your views in regard to the foregoing?

With cordial regards [etc.]

Maxwell M. Hamilton

98. Not printed.
99. See telegram No. 182, July 1, 11 p.m., p. 213.
1. Telegram No. 309, supra.
2. For test, see telegram No. 167, June 19, 6 p.m., to the Chargé in Japan, p. 185.
3. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 6.
4. See telegram No. 234, May 18, 5 p.m., from the Ambassador in Japan, ibid., p. 1.