[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Net
July 26, 1941
Red
Circular #1616
Depending
upon how Japanese relations with England and the United States turn out, we may
have to consider divesting England and the United States of all their interests
in China. If and when things come to the worst, I want all areas concerned to
cooperate in either destroying or seizing the considerable mining and other
industrial equipment and ships of these countries. Be particularly sure let
nothing be taken away. I want you all to be ready at any moment to take this
precautionary step of transferring the property of these two nations to our
control.
Army 20144 Trans 7-28-41 (5)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)