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

711.94/20664/9

Father James M. Drought, of New York, to the Secretary of State ⁸³

New York, undated

Axis

U. S. The Government of Japan maintains that the purpose of the Tri-Partite Pact was and is defensive and designed to contribute to the prevention of a non-provoked extension of the European War.

U. S. The Government of the United States maintains that its attitude toward the European hostilities is, and will continue to be, determined solely and exclusively by considerations of protection and self-defense; national security and the defense thereof.

Japan Both Governments maintain that it is their common aim to encourage, by example and by act, peace through justice throughout the world.

U. S. Both Governments affirm that no agreement which either has concluded with any third power or powers shall be interpreted by it in such a way as to conflict with the fundamental purpose of disagreement [this agreement?], namely, the establishment and preservation of peace throughout the Pacific area.

China Peace Terms

U. S. Neighborly friendship.

U. S. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

U. S. No annexations.

U. S. No indemnities.

New In accordance with the principle of independent sovereignty, the fusion, freely established, of a united government in China.

U. S. Mutual respect for the inherent characteristics of each nation cooperating as good neighbors and forming an East Asian nucleus contributing to world peace.

U. S. Withdrawal of Japanese troops from China upon the resumption of peaceful relations and within a period of two years.

Japan Cooperation between Japan and China for the purposes of (a) preventing Communistic activities which may constitute a menace to the security of both countries; (b) maintaining for a limited required duration public order and safety in specified areas (New) restricted to North China and Inner Mongolia, in accordance with a separate agreement between Japan and China.

New Economic cooperation based upon geographical propinquity to be established by peaceful means and carried on without restriction of the legitimate interests of third powers.

Japan Recognition of Manchoukuo.

Economics

U. S. Both Governments pledge themselves that their activities in the Pacific area shall be carried on by peaceful means and in conformity with the principle of non-discrimination in international commercial relations.

U. S. In pursuance of this policy, the Japanese Government and the Government of the United States agreed to cooperate each with the other toward the creation of conditions of international trade and international investment under which Japan and the United States will have a reasonable opportunity to secure through the trade process the means of acquiring those goods and commodities which each country needs for the safeguarding and development of its own economy.

U. S. Both Governments will cooperate amicably for the conclusion and execution of agreements between themselves and with the other powers concerned for the production and supply, on the basis of nondiscrimination, of such commodities as oil, rubber, nickel and tin and any other commodity which is essential to each country for the maintenance of its economic life.

U. S. Both Governments will agree upon a plan for the stabilization of the dollar—yen rate, with the allocation of funds adequate for this purpose, half to be supplied by Japan and half by the United States.

Political Stabilization

U. S. Both Governments declare that the controlling policy underlying this understanding is peace in the Pacific area; that it is their fundamental purpose, through cooperative effort, to contribute to the maintenance and the preservation of peace in the Pacific area; and that neither has territorial designs in the area mentioned.

Japan Both Governments, taking cognizance of the fact that it is a matter of vital importance to stabilize promptly the situation in the Southwestern Pacific area, undertake not to resort to any measures and actions which may jeopardize such stabilization.

Japan The Government of Japan will not make any armed advancement, using French Indo-China as a base, to any adjacent areas thereof (excluding China), and, upon the establishment of an equitable peace in the Pacific area, will withdraw its troops which are now stationed in French Indo-China.

Japan The Government of the United States will alleviate its military measures in the Southwestern Pacific area.

Japan Both Governments declare that they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand and the Netherland East Indies, and that they are prepared to conclude an agreement concerning the neutralization of the Philippine Islands when its independence will have been achieved.

Japan The Japanese Government undertake to respect the territorial sovereignty of French Indo-China. The Japanese forces at present stationed there will be withdrawn as soon as the China Affair is settled or an equitable peace is established in East Asia.

Japan The Government of the United States will guarantee the non-discriminatory treatment of the Japanese nationals in the Philippine Islands.

Article III of Understanding

Japan Both Governments, taking cognizance of the fact that the settlement of the China conflict has a vital bearing upon the peace of the entire Pacific area and consequently upon that of the world, will endeavor to expedite a rapid realization of an equitable settlement.

U. S. The Japanese Government having communicated to the Government of the United States the general terms within the framework of which the Japanese Government will propose the negotiation of a peaceful settlement with the Chinese Government to be in harmony with the Konoe principles regarding neighborly friendship and mutual respect of sovereignties and territories and with the practical application of those principles, the President of the United States will suggest that both Governments enter into a negotiation on a basis mutually advantageous and acceptable for a termination of hostilities and a resumption of peaceful relations.

Japan Upon the initiation of such negotiation, the Government of the United States will refrain from any measure and action which might hamper the efforts directed toward a peaceful settlement of the China conflict.

(There is appended a draft of the basic terms for peace between Japan and China⁸⁴)

83. Notation on file copy: “Document handed to the Secretary of State by Father Drought on or about April 9, 1941.”
84. See section III of document printed in Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 423.