740.0011 European War 1930/14643: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State

1123. Embassy’s telegram 1111, August 30, 3 p.m.75 Lagarde76 also expresses great satisfaction at reported developments in the Far [Page 421] East, namely, “indications” that the United States is about to reach a settlement with Japan. He said that the change in attitude clearly means that Japan has lost confidence in an Axis victory. He also said that Ambassador Kato “has throughout insisted” that the elements in Tokyo who favor reaching an understanding with the United States would finally succeed; that there would be no war between his country and the Anglo-Saxon powers. The Domei communiqué of September 1 (published here), quoting a Japanese journalist on the necessity for Japanese diplomacy to take into consideration the world situation of three years hence, has made quite an impression in Vichy. A close advisor of the Marshal77 told us today that he considers it of real significance.

Leahy
  1. Post, p. 1017.
  2. Emilien Lagarde, head of the Near East section of the French Foreign Office.
  3. Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, French Chief of State.