[Secret]
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
21 October 1941
(Purple-CA)
#698
Re
your #966*
What
you say is well justified. We should, of course, send you instructions
immediately, but in view of the fact that the new cabinet was only just formed,
they have been unavoidably delayed.
The
new cabinet differs in no way from the former one in its sincere desire to
adjust Japanese-United States relations on a fair basis. Our country has said
practically all she can say in the way of expressing of opinions and setting
forth our stands. We feel that we have now reached a point where no further
positive action can be taken by us except to urge the United States to
reconsider her views.
We
urge, therefore, that, choosing an opportune moment, either you or Wakasugi let
it be known to the United States by indirection that our country is not in a
position to spend much more time discussing this matter. Please continue the
talks, emphasizing our desire for a formal United States counter-proposal to
our proposal of 25(?) September.
23968
JD-1: 6015 (D) Navy Trans. 10-23-41 (S-TT)
*JD-1: 5968. (Long 6 part report). Wakasugi-Welles-Hull talk on 17 Oct. in which there is an extensive rehash of arguments and counter arguments that have been repeatedly discussed before. Wakasugi continues to emphasize the impracticability of evacuating China, while Hull emphasizes non-discrimination in trade (i.e. the Open Door up-to-date).
(EXHIBITS
OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE
JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)