August 1941

1 August 1941 The United States embargoed export of aviation oil. (". . . in the interest of national defense." Times, Aug. 2, 1941, p. 1. Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 110, p. 101. Cf. July 31, 1940, supra.)
1 August 1941 STATEMENT BY JAPANESE BOARD OF INFORMATION ON "REINFORCING JAPANESE FORCES IN INDO-CHINA Tokyo. "The international situation, however, has recently undergone radical changes in such a way as to aggravate the situation in which French Indo-China is placed. The French colony has come to find itself in an embarrassing position as was Syria in the current European War." See doc.
2 August 1941 EXCHANGE OF LETTERS BETWEEN THE ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE SUMNER WELLES AND THE SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, CONSTANTINE A. OUMANSKY United States-Russian exchange of notes on economic as­sistance. (". . . for the purpose of strengthening the Soviet Union in its struggle against armed aggression. This decision has been prompted by the conviction of the Government of the United States that the strengthening of the armed resistance of the Soviet Union to the predatory attack of an aggressor who is threatening the security and independence not only of the Soviet Union but also of all other nations is in the interest of the national defense of the United States." See doc.  Bulletin, No. 111, p. 109. Cf. June 24, supra.)
4 August 1941 France indicated it would refuse military facilities to the Axis in North Africa. (Times, Aug. 5, 1941, p. 1.)
6 August 1941 Japan presented a counterproposal on withdrawal from French Indochina on its own terms. (Cf. July 24, supra.) ("As the United States Government has nevertheless manifested cer­tain anxiety over the situation in regard to French Indo-china, the Japanese Government, with a view to dispelling any such misgiving, has instructed me to transmit a proposal and to enter into negotiations in strict confidence and on an `off record' basis. The proposal is intended to serve as a reply in a way to the suggestion, made by the President on July 24 during his conversation with me [Nomura], and to provide a fresh basis for Japanese-American understanding. . ." Peace, p. 705.)
8 August 1941 Ambassador Nomura asked Secretary of State Hull whether a meeting could be arranged between "the responsible heads of the two governments, say in Honolulu, ". . . as was suggested in the original Japanese proposal." Peace, p. 708.
9 August 1941 The United States resolved to confer at once with Britain in the event of further Japanese movements south ("The Ambassador made some inquiry about the amount of aid this Government might give in case Singapore or the Dutch East Indies should be attacked." Peace, p. 710.)
12 August 1941 MARSHAL PETAIN'S ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE Vichy, France. "I have decided to use the powers given me by Constitutional Act No. 7 to judge those responsible for our disaster. A Council of Justice is created to that effect. It will submit its reports before Oct. 15." See doc. (Times, p. 4. Cf. Rice, p. 69.)
12 August 1941 British-Russian declaration of aid to Turkey if attacked by European power. ("It is known that, after the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union, the Germans con­ducted and are still conducting malicious propaganda against the Soviet Union intended inter alia to bring about discord between the Soviet Union and Turkey.

"In view of the fact that the propaganda being extensively conducted by the Germans has become even stronger at present; and considering that in the present international situation it is opportune that an exchange of views should take place between the Soviet and Turkish Governments on the subject of the relations between the Soviet Union, Turkey, and Great Britain, . . ." Times, Aug. 13, 1941, p. 3.)
14 August 1941 "THE ATLANTIC CHARTER," JOINT DECLARATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN "Joint declaration of the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, representing His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, being met together, deem it right to make known certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they base their hopes for a better future for the world." See doc. (Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 112, p. 125. Cf. Peace, pp. 718 f.)
15 August 1941 JOINT MESSAGE OF ASSISTANCE TO THE SOVIET UNION FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL The United States and Britain requested opportunity to send their representatives to Moscow. ("In order that all of us may be in a position to arrive at speedy decisions as to the apportionment of our joint resources, . . ." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 112, p. 135. Cf. Peace, p. 712.) See doc.

"We have taken the opportunity afforded by the consideration of the report of Mr. Harry Hopkins on his return from Moscow to consult together as to how best our two countries can help your country in the splendid defense that you are making against the Nazi attack." See doc.
16 August 1941 Anglo-Russian commercial treaty signed. (On exchange of goods, credit, and clearing. Times, Aug. 18, 1941, p. 1. Cf. July 12, supra.)
16 August 1941 Anglo-Russian note warned Iran to evict its German community. (Times, Aug. 26, 1941, p. 4. Cf. Times, Aug. 18, 1941, p. 1. Cf. Apr. 4, June 8, supra.)
17 August 1941 President Roosevelt consented to renew informal discus­sions for agreement with Japan. (". . . to discuss means for bringing about an adjustment of relations between the United States and Japan and . . . to ascertain whether there existed a basis for negotiations relative to a peaceful settlement covering the entire Pacific situation." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 537. Cf. Peace, pp. 715 f. Cf. July 23, supra.)
17 August 1941 MEMORANDUM BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE "The Ambassador of Japan called to see the President at the latter's request. Following some few exchanges of preliminary remarks, the President then became serious and proceeded to refer to the strained relations between our two countries." See doc.
18 August 1941 Pan American Airways System agreed to ferry aircraft from the United States to the Middle East via west Africa. (". . . . to speed delivery of planes direct to the British forces . . ." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 113, p. 147.)
18 August 1941 Russia made peace overtures to Finland. (To negotiate new treaty granting territorial concessions to Finland. Bulletin, No. 124, p. 362. Cf. June 22, supra.)
21 August 1941 PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS ON "THE ATLANTIC CHARTER" "Finally, the declaration of principles at this time presents a goal which is worth while for our type of civilization to seek. It is so clear cut that it is difficult to oppose in any major particular without automatically admitting a willingness to accept compromise with Nazism; or to agree to a world peace which would give to Nazism domination over large numbers of conquered nations." See doc.
21 August 1941 MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO THE CONGRESS EMBODYING TEXT OF THE ATLANTIC CHARTER "Over a week ago I held several important conferences at sea with the British Prime Minister. Because of the factor of safety to British, Canadian, and American ships, and their personnel, no prior announce­ment of these meetings could properly be made." See doc.
24 August 1941 PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S BROADCAST TO THE WORLD ABOUT THE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT Prime Minister Churchill promised unhesitating aid to the United States if hopes for a peaceful settlement with Japan failed. (Because of ". . . the deep underlying unities which stir and, at decisive moments, rule the English-speaking peoples through­out the world." Times, Aug. 25, 1941, p. 4. Cf. Aug. 9, supra.) See doc.
25 August 1941 British-Russian troops occupied Iran. ("Unfortunately the Iran Government declined to take measures appropriate to putting a halt to the trouble and disorders insti­gated by German agents, thereby encouraging German agents in their criminal activity. "In consequence of this, the Soviet Government has been forced itself to take the necessary measures. . ." Times, Aug. 26, 1941, p. 4. Cf. Aug. 16, supra.)
25 August 1941 Chancellor Hitler and Premier Mussolini met. (". . . all military and political questions that affect the development and duration of the war were intensively discussed. . . . The conversations were permeated by the unalterable determina­tion of both peoples and their leaders to continue the war to a victorious conclusion. The new European order that will emerge from this victory as far as possible will remove the causes that in the past have given rise to European wars. . .

"The destruction of the Bolshevist danger and plutocratic exploitation will create the possibility of fruitful, peaceful, and harmonious collaboration by all the peoples of the European continent in the political as well as in the economic and cultural spheres." Times, Aug. 30, 1941, p. 3.)
26 August 1941 STATEMENT ON SENDING A (U.S.) MILITARY MISSION TO CHINA, The United States planned to send military mission to China. ("The function of the mission will be to study, in collab­oration with Chinese and other authorities, the military situation in China, the need of the Chinese Government for materiel and materials; to formulate recommendations regarding types and quantities of items, needed; to assist in procurement in this country and in delivery in China of such materiel and materials; to instruct in the use and maintenance of articles thus provided; and to give advice and suggestions of appropriate character toward making lend-lease assistance to China as effective as possible in the interest of the United States, of China, and of the world effort in resistance to movements of conquest by force." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 114, p. 166. ) See doc.
27 August 1941 Premier Konoye invited President Roosevelt to meet with him "to discuss from a broad standpoint all important problems between Japan and America covering the entire Pacific area, and to explore the possibility of saving the situation." Premier Konoye invited President Roosevelt to meet with him "to discuss from a broad standpoint all important problems between Japan and America covering the entire Pacific area, and to explore the possibility of saving the situation." ("That the two nations should fall in the worst of relations at this time would mean not only a disaster in itself, but also the collapse of world civilization. Japan is solicitous for the maintenance of the peace of the Pacific and the peace of the world and she desires therefore to improve Japanese-American relations." Peace, pp. 721 f. Cf. Aug. 8, supra.)
28 August 1941 Japan in note to the United States desired "to pursue courses of peace in harmony with the fundamental principles to which the people and Government of the United States are commuted." (To give, "broad assurances of its peaceful intent, including a comprehensive assurance that the Japanese Government has no intention of using without provocation military force against any neighboring nation." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, p. 537. Cf. Peace, p. 724. Cf. Apr. 16, supra.)
28 August 1941 MEMORANDUM BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE "The President then spoke somewhat as he did at the last meeting a week ago Sunday about the idea suggested by the Japanese Prime Minister of a personal meeting between the President and the Prime Minister at as early a date as possible for the purpose of having a frank discussion of all important affairs existing between the two countries." See doc.
28 August 1941 MEMORANDUM REGARDING A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR (NOMURA) "The Ambassador said that it was his personal opinion that the suggestion of the President that the meeting between the President and the Japanese Prime Minister be held at Juneau would be agree­able to his Government and that the Prime Minister would probably proceed thither by a Japanese warship, making the journey in about ten days." See doc.
28 August 1941 The Iranian Premier, Ali Furanghi, ordered the Army to cease fire. (". . . in pursuance of the peace-loving policy of His Majesty, [Iran] is issuing orders to all armed forces of the country to refrain from any resistance so that the causes for bloodshed and disturbance of security shall be removed and public peace and security assured." Times, Aug. 29, 1941, p. 3.)
28 August 1941 The Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Com­mittee adopted and made effective a plan to use foreign merchant vessels in American ports. (In the interest of Inter-American commerce. Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 114, p. 165.)