[Secret]

 
From: Tokyo
To: Washington 
November 10, 1941 
Purple (CA) (Urgent) 
#755. Part 1 of 2. 

Re my #754 [a].

In adjusting Japanese-American relations, the Government of Japan has attached a great deal of importance on speedy solution of the China Incident. At the same time the United States Government also has maintained the attitude that if peace is to be established in the Pacific, the China question cannot be overlooked. Now, if it is the intention of the United States Government to mediate between Japan and China along the lines proposed by Secretary HULL and also to leave the matter of peace terms to the Japanese and Chinese Governments, this plan harmonizes with what the Japanese Govern-

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ment has been looking forward to since the beginning of ------. It would mean that the question of withdrawing troops from China would according to HULL's suggestion be left out for the time being from the negotiations. This would make it possible for us to hasten the settlement by means of negotiations conducted between Japan and China alone and it would also have the advantage of bringing about peace between Japan and China without American interference.

Should we take advantage of this proposal, it goes without saying that it would be necessary to secure a promise or a definite statement that the settlement of the negotiations between Japan and the United States would not make the establishment of peace between Japan and China its condition and that the United States would not interfere with the peace to be established between Japan and China. (This promise includes cessation of activities for aiding CHIANG.) Furthermore, it is necessary to make it clear that the agreement between Japan and the United States would be immediately signed and put into effect.

 
Army 24581                                           Trans. 11/10/41 (S)
 
[a] Not available. 

 

[Secret]

 
From: Tokyo
To: Washington
November 10, 1941
Purple (CA) 
#755. Part 2 of 2. 

As regards the China question, this would mean that the paragraph concerning the China Incident in Proposal "A" of my #726 [a] (paragraph 3 of the Agreement) should be eliminated from the agenda of the negotiations and paragraph 4 of Proposal "B" given in my #727 [b] (namely that the United States will refrain from any action detrimental to the efforts made for the purpose of establishing peace between Japan and China) be substituted in its place.

Furthermore, I believe that the United States wishes to see a speedy establishment of an agreement between Japan and the United States and so, for this reason, HULL's proposal is a sincere one and from this standpoint the United States Government proposes to mediate between Japan and China. If the United States is of the intention of postponing the settlement of questions other than the China question until peace is established between Japan and China or of continuing aid to CHIANG, we shall not be able to accept the proposal for it would prevent the establishment of an agreement between Japan and the United States and, furthermore, would be apt to put the blame for the failure of the Japanese-American negotiations upon us. I need hardly point this out to you but I would like to have you take care so that this would not happen.

 
Army 24582 Trans.                                           11/10/41 (S)
 
[a] S.I.S. #24334-37. 
[b] S.I.S. #24338.

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