740.0011 European War 1939/10383: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:12 p.m.]
605. Embassy’s 534, April 10, 10 p.m.86 Following is Mr. Matsuoka’s reply to Mr. Churchill’s recent message the original of which [Page 969] it is understood was to be delivered by the Japanese Ambassador in London:
“Gaimusho, Tokyo, April 22, 1941. Your Excellency: I have just come back from my trip and hasten to acknowledge the receipt of a paper, handed to me at Moscow on the evening of the 12th instant by Sir Stafford Cripps with remark that it was a copy in substance of a letter addressed to me dated London, April 2, 1941, and forwarded to Tokyo.
I wish to express my appreciation for the facilities with which your Government made efforts to provide our Ambassador when he wanted to meet me on the continent. I was keenly disappointed when I learned that he could not come.
Your Excellency may rest assured that the foreign policy of Japan is determined upon and after an unbiased examination of all the facts and a very careful weighing of all the elements of the situation she confronts, always holding steadfastly in view the great racial aim and ambition of finally bringing about on the earth the conditions envisaged in what she calls Hakko-Ichiu, the Japanese conception of a universal peace under which there would be no conquest, no oppression, no exploitation of any and all people. And, once determined, I need hardly tell Your Excellency, it will be carried out with resolution and utmost circumspection, taking in every detail of changing circumstances.
I am, believe me, Your Excellency’s obedient servant, Yosuke Matsuoka. His Excellency the Right Honorable Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain.”
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Moscow.