811.20/11–145
Memorandum Prepared in the Offices of European and Far Eastern Affairs89
Answers to Questions
[Here follow answers to the first question and part of the second.90]
b. (2) In the absence of any indication as to the character of “certain rights” which we might grant to our Allies in Japan, it is difficult to answer this question. If the reference is to stationing of military contingents by our Allies in Japan, we do not understand how such stationing of contingents would give rise to any corollary involvement by the United States in continental affairs in the Far East. As to your request for a statement of minimum interests from which the United States will not retreat in the event of a clash of interests in the Far East, the Department does not believe it possible to give any such statement which would be sufficiently reliable or certain as to furnish the basis on which the War Department might determine in advance the military steps to be taken against possible aggression in the Far East. It is believed that the problem posed by your question in regard to this Department’s contribution of political guidance to the Armed Forces can best be met by consistent and close cooperation between the Departments concerned.
[Here follows answer to the third question.]