Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General, Volume I

762.9411/129: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State

(Paris) Vichy, October 23, 1940—1 p.m.
[Received 8:13 p.m.]

804. Chauvel⁸⁹ showed me this morning a telegram received from Arsene-Henry⁹⁰ at Tokyo under date of October 22. That telegram reported that while there seemed to be no secret clause to the recent tripartite pact he had ascertained that there was a procès-verbal specifically providing that Japan would not be required automatically to make war on the United States if we become involved in hostilities against Germany as a result of action taken by the latter. This procès-verbal, said Henry, specifically provided that Japan should have the right to examine the circumstances before taking any position.

Matthews

89. Jean Chauvel, head of Far Eastern section, French Foreign Office.
90. Charles Arsène-Henry, French Ambassador in Japan.