740.0011 P. W./523
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to the Acting Secretary of State
Mr. Welles: Reference your memorandum of conversation with Mr. Wakasugi of July 21.42
It does not seem to me that the evidence which we have indicates any intention on the part of the Japanese to “occupy” Indochina in the future. They have developed a very clever setup. They are requesting (demanding) of the French certain facilities for military purposes and use. They are promising the French that if their requests are granted without resistance they will give formal pledges to respect French sovereignty, et cetera. The French will yield. The whole transaction will be consummated with due respect for legal technicalities. Force will not be used. The Japanese will not take over political control (government, administration, et cetera). There will be no “occupation”. The Japanese will be able to contend that what they are doing is approximately similar to what we have done and are doing at a number of points in the Atlantic.
The difference will be in the ultimate objectives and the strategic and political purposes.
If we are going to take action on our part contingent or conditional on action by the Japanese which can convincingly be described as “occupation”, we will not, in my opinion, have in the immediate future the required condition. Question arises again whether we are going to face and deal with the camouflage of clever method and legal technicality which covers an ugly fact or are going to face and deal with the fact itself on its own merits as regards its effect upon our policies and our security together with those of other countries which are opposed to and are resisting procedures of conquest.