740.0011 European War 1939/12634a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
355. Press reports from Tokyo indicate uncertainty and misunderstanding in Japan in regard to the policy of the United States with reference to the outbreak of hostilities between Germany and Russia. For example, the War Minister is quoted as stating at a conference of munitions makers on June 24 that with the future attitude of the United States unpredictable, Japan is at the crossroads of her destiny, while the Yomiuri is reported to have expressed the fear that Great Britain and the United States may use Russian possessions as a military base, causing a crisis in Japan’s national defense. Again, Yomiuri is credited with saying that American friendliness for Russia is due to an effort to gain a foothold against Japan, and the Hochi with finding a military menace in such friendliness.
You are authorized, in your discretion, in conversations which you may have with responsible Japanese, to say that the attitude of the United States in regard to the hostilities in Europe has been made abundantly clear on many occasions; that the purpose of this Government is to protect the security of the United States and of the Americas; that Hitler’s armies are regarded as the chief threat to America; that therefore the fixed policy of this Government is to aid Great Britain and other nations which are resisting Hitler’s armies in as much as such resistance contributes to our security; and that such opposition will be welcomed, from whatever source it may spring. Consequently, any measures which this Government may have in mind designed to aid Russia will have for their sole purpose the defense of the security of the United States and will offer no threat whatever to the security of nations not involved in the conflict on the side of Hitlerism.