[Secret]
From: Washington (Nomura)
To: Tokyo
5 November 1941
(Purple)
#1040
Re
your #735, paragraph 5*.
On
the 5th, reports from Tokyo were played up by the newspapers here to the effect
that Domei, the mouthpiece of the Japanese Government and the Times-Advertiser,
the mouthpiece of the Foreign Office, were declaring that the 15th had been set
as the "deadline" for the negotiations and were giving a list of the
Japanese demands, (seven was given as the number).
While
I recognize that the above may be considered as well intentioned efforts on our
part to lead to a favorable reception of the negotiations still the above
reports are directly opposed to the interest of your caption telegram. As you
are well aware in view of the present delicate situation such reports will have
the effect of alienating American public opinion or causing it to become
actively opposed to Japan.
There
is danger that America will see through our condition. If we have really made
up our minds to a final course of action it would be the part of wisdom to keep
still about it. I realize that the internal situation is causing you no end of
worry, however I feel that in view of the present grave situation still further
guidance should be given to the newspapers.
24479
JD-1: 6320 (H) Navy Trans. 11-7-41 (7)
*JD-1: 6276 (H-243877).
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)