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

711.94/5–2341

American Redraft of Japanese Draft Proposal of May 12⁸⁶

May 12, 1941

[Here follows text as printed in Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, volume II, page 446, with two exceptions: point 3 on May 23 was as follows: “The relations of both nations toward the China Affair”; and point 7, as printed, was not contained in text of May 23. Section I, printed on page 447, was unchanged, but section II, second sentence, replaced the following paragraph:]

The Government of Japan maintains that its obligations of military assistance under the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany and Italy will be applied in accordance with the stipulation of Article III of the said Pact.

[Here follows text as printed on page 447, except that section III on May 23 was as follows: “Relations of both nations toward the China Affair” and the “Note” as printed was not contained in text of May 23. Section IV as printed on page 448 was unchanged, but section V on May 23 was as follows:]

V. Economic activity of both nations in the Pacific area.

On the basis of mutual pledges that Japanese activity and American activity in the Pacific area shall be carried on by peaceful means, the Japanese Government and the Government of the United States agree to cooperate each with the other toward obtaining, on the basis of non-discrimination in international commercial relations, access by Japan and by the United States to supplies of natural resources (such as oil, rubber, tin, nickel) which each country needs for the safeguarding and development of its own economy.

[Here follows text of sections VI and VII as printed, but section VIII on May 23 was subsequently deleted:]

VIII. Japanese immigration to the United States.

Japanese immigration to the United States shall receive amicable consideration—on the basis of equality with other nationals and freedom from discrimination. The Japanese Government of course understands that the United States has always maintained that immigration is a domestic matter for regulation by legislation.

[Annex 1]

Annex and Supplement on the Part of the Japanese Government

III. China Affair.

The basic terms as referred to in the above section are as follows:

1. Neighborly friendship.

2. Cooperative defense against communistic activities.

3. Economic cooperation—by which Japan intends to proceed on the basis of non-discrimination in international commercial relations and by which Japan does not intend to exercise economic monopoly in China nor to demand of China a limitation of the interests of Third Powers.

4. Mutual respect of sovereignty and territories.

5. Mutual respect for the inherent characteristics of each nation cooperating as good neighbors and forming a Far Eastern nucleus contributing to world peace.

6. Withdrawal of Japanese troops from Chinese territory in accordance with an agreement to be concluded between Japan and China.

7. No annexation.

8. No indemnities.

9. Independence of Manchoukuo.

[Annex 2]

Annex and Supplement on the Part of the Government of the United States

III. China Affair.

2. Cooperative defense against communistic activities.

It is understood that the working out of the fulfillment of this provision will in no way conflict with the provision providing for the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Chinese territory; and it is understood further that the Japanese Government does not intend to station troops within Chinese territory as a preventative measure against communistic activities. The actual arrangement therefor might, with benefit to all, be negotiated upon the request of either the Government of Japan or the Government of China prior to the completion of the withdrawal of Japanese troops from China.

It is understood further that the purpose of this provision is to provide for mutual, cooperative resistance to any future development within China of communistic activities which would menace not only the welfare of China but as well the national security of Japan.

9. Manchuria

It is understood that the question of the future of Manchuria will be dealt with by friendly negotiations.

or

It is understood that the question of the independence of Manchuria will be dealt with by friendly negotiations.

[Annex 2, as printed on page 449, was not contained in text of May 23, while Annex 3, as printed on page 451, followed Annex 2, above.]

86. Notation on file copy: “Our tentative redraft of May 23 of the Japanese proposal of May 12, 1941. This redraft was discussed by the Secretary of State with the President.” Penciled notation on original: “Copy of set handed by Secretary to President May 23. Page of Annex III 2 subsequently revised.”