Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

711.94/21334/18

Document Received in the Department of State Through Father Drought on May 17

May 17, 1941

II. The attitude of the United States and of Japan toward the European war.

The Government of Japan declares that the purpose of the Tripartite Pact was and is defensive and is designed to prevent the nations which are not at present involved in the European war from participating⁶⁷ therein, and declares that its obligations of military assistance under the Tripartite Pact between Germany, Japan and Italy will be applied in accordance with the stipulation of Article 3 of the said Pact.

The Government of the United States declares that its attitude toward the European hostilities is and will continue to be determined solely and exclusively by considerations of protection and self-defense: Its national security and the defense thereof.

III. When this declaration of policy and intention is agreed upon, and both Governments have given it their approval and commitment, the President of the United States will suggest to Chiang Kai-shek to enter with Japan into a negotiation for a termination of hostilities and resumption of peaceful relations on a basis of terms conveyed by the Government of Japan to the President of the United States.

The Government of Japan declares that in conformity with the policy of the Japanese Government to establish a relationship of neighborly friendship with China, the terms in question have been based on the three principles set forth in the Konoye Statement and the principles set forth, on the basis of the said three principles, in the Treaty concluded with the Nanking Government as well as in the Joint Declaration of Japan, Manchoukuo and China.

V. Economic activity of both nations in the Southwestern Pacific Area.

Asserting and affirming that Japanese activity and American activity in the Southwestern Pacific area shall be carried on by peaceful means, the Japanese Government and the Government of the United States agree to cooperate and support each other toward ensuring, on the basis of mutual benefit, fair dealing and friendly cooperation, mutual access by Japan and the United States to supplies of natural resources (such as oil, rubber, tin, nickel) which each country needs for the safe-guarding and development of its own economy.

67. “engaging” (in Father Drought’s handwriting).