APPENDIX No 9

The United States' Proposal of 26 November 1941

Part I Oral, Top Secret

Representatives of the governments of the United States and Japan have conducted informal talks for the past several months in an effort to reach a settlement, if possible, regarding peace in the entire Pacific area. The general principles for peace embrace the following: Respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other nations, non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, the principle of equality (including equality of economic opportunity), and international cooperation and reconciliation for prevention and peaceful settlement of international disputes and for improving international relations. During the talks some progress has been made regarding the principles which constitute the basis for peaceful settlement for the entire Pacific area. Recently, the Japanese Ambassador stated that the Japanese Government wanted to continue the talks in order to reach an over-all peaceful settlement for the Pacific area, and that, if a provisional agreement were concluded, an atmosphere favorable to the success of the talks would be created. On 20 November, he submitted a proposal to that effect.

The United States Government fervently wishes to contribute to the peace and stability of the entire Pacific area and to present, for that purpose, opportunities for talks with the Japanese Government. In the opinion of the United States Government, however, the proposals submitt-

A9-i

ed by the Japanese Ambassador clash in some points with the fundamental principles under consideration. The United States Government believes that the adoption of the said proposals will not contribute to the ultimate objective, and, therefore, proposes that both nations make further efforts in order to eliminate the differences of opinion concerning the practical application of these fundamental principles. The United States Government offers to the Japanese Government for consideration an over-all but simple plan for settlement covering the whole Pacific area as one practical exemplification of a program to be worked out during further conversations. This proposal is an attempt to close the gap between the United States' proposal of 21 June and the Japanese proposal of 25 September, and it involves practical application of the fundamental principles upon which we have agreed. Thus, we hope to make rapid progress so that both governments may come to a satisfactory agreement.

Part II Draft Declaration by Both Countries

The United States Government and the Japanese Government declare that they fervently desire peace in the Pacific, that their policies are directed toward the establishment of lasting peace in the entire Pacific Area, and that they have no territorial ambitions or intentions of menacing other countries or employing armed forces for aggressive purposes against their neighboring countries. Therefore, they hereby declare that they will support and apply the following fundamental principles:

1. Respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other

A9-ii

nations.

2. Non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations

3. Principle of equality, including equality of economic opportunities and treatment.

4. Principles for international cooperation and reconciliation for prevention or peaceful settlement of international disputes and for improving international relations.

The governments of Japan and the United States agree to support and apply the following principles in their relationship with each other and also in their economic dealings with other countries in order to eliminate chronic political instability, prevent recurrent economic collapse, and thereby lay a foundation for peace:

1. Non-discriminatory international trade relationship.

2. International economic cooperation. Renunciation of ultra-nationalistic measures, such as excessive trade restrictions.

3. Measures enabling all nations to acquire raw materials equally.

4. Sufficient protection of the interests of consumer nations in applying the international commodities agreement.

5. Establishment of an international foundation to aid enterprises and assist in the development of all national repayments to be made by means of trade.

Part III

The governments of the United States and Japan will undertake-the

A9-iii

following measures:

1. The governments of the United States and Japan will endeavor to conclude a multilateral non-aggression pact between the United Kingdom, China, Japan, the Netherlands, the Soviet Union, Thailand, and the United States.

2. The governments of both countries will strive to conclude an agreement between the United States, Britain, China, Japan, the Netherlands and Thailand, to respect the territorial integrity of French Indo-China and to consult with one another if it is threatened.

Provisions prohibiting economic preference in French Indo-China and guaranteeing to all nations equality in trade and commerce with French Indo-China will be incorporated into the above agreement.

3. The Japanese Government will withdraw from China and French Indo-China all army, naval, air and police forces.

4. The governments of the United States and Japan will not give military or political aid to any Chinese Government except the Nationalist Government in Chungking.

5. The governments of both countries will relinquish all extra-territorial rights in China, including privileges regarding settlements as well as the rights provided in the Boxer Rebellion Agreement.

6. The governments of the United States and Japan will commence talks on a trade agreement in accordance with the policy of removing trade barriers on the basis of reciprocal most-favored-nations treatment. The agreement will include a promise that the United States will

A9-iv

enter silk on the free list.

7. The governments of the United States and Japan will rescind their respective freezing orders.

8. The governments of both countries agree to the dollar-yen exchange rate stabilization plan and will allocate necessary funds on a fifty-fifty basis.

9. The governments of both countries agree that agreements concluded with any third power will not be interpreted in a way that will clash with the establishment and maintenance of peace throughout the Pacific area, which constitutes the fundamental objective of this agreement.

10. The governments of both countries will strive to persuade the governments of other countries to agree and carry out the political and economic principles underlying this agreement.

A9-v


This HTML document was created by GT_HTML 6.0d 01/04/98 10:56 AM.