762.94/503: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:25 p.m.]
1215. In diplomatic and journalistic circles in Berlin, opinion seems to be about equally divided as to whether Matsuoka’s visit has resulted in Japanese agreement to undertake some important military action in concert with the Axis Powers.
As far as is known none of the diplomatic missions of neutral countries here pretends to have any authentic information as to what was said in the discussions with Matsuoka. It is known, however, that Matsuoka said in private conversation to a personal friend here that he was urging on German officials and would urge at Rome that the Axis should take no step which would involve any extension of the war. He is also quoted as having said that he desired to pay a visit to Pétain and that the Germans were willing to have him do so but the Italian Government had registered strenuous objection.
His friends inquired whether he had any thought of continuing his trip to London and Washington and Matsuoka said that he would like nothing better but that such a trip would obviously be unwelcome to Berlin and that there were also against it the difficulties of travel and [Page 927] the necessity of not being too long absent from Japan. In the conversation reference was made to the views of a former foreign Ambassador in Japan to the effect that Japan’s policy must aim toward the preservation of good relations with England. Matsuoka while avoiding direct comment on this policy stated that he had the greatest respect for its author and his views. The other party to the conversation professes to be unable to judge whether Matsuoka was sincere in his expressions and intimations that Japan was against involvement in the war, whether he was indulging in mystification or was merely being polite toward an individual who, he felt rather sure, was not in sympathy with Germany’s present policy. It is known that Matsuoka deliberately sought to bring about this conversation.
Repeated to Tokyo via Moscow.