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

894.24/1379

Vice President Wallace to the Secretary of State

Washington, May 10, 1941.

Dear Secretary Hull: Enclosed is a letter⁶⁸ on a subject about which I have been quite disturbed myself for some time. I notice that we are still sending considerable quantities of valuable materials to Japan, especially oil, and I can’t help wondering if there is not some probability that these materials may be used against us, if events should take a certain turn. It seems to me that at the earliest possible opportunity we should choke off the flow of goods from the United States to Japan.

I understand that the Dutch East Indies are going to furnish oil to Japan, but I do not see that that is any reason why we should do so. Can’t we use our priorities power to do the job diplomatically and yet fairly quickly?

Sincerely yours,

H. A. Wallace

P. S. I know you have been doing a masterful job on this Japanese problem but it seems to me the time is ripening fast now for more complete action in shutting off exports to Japan.⁷¹

68. Not printed.
71. In acknowledging Vice President Wallace’s letter, the Secretary of State on May 20 wrote: “I appreciate what you say about this, and you know that the matter has been and continues to be very much on our minds here. I shall be glad to talk with you about this the next time I see you.”