[Secret]
From: Washington (Nomura)
To: Tokyo
November 10, 1941
Purple (CA)
(Urgent)
#1066. Part 1 of 2
1.
I sent MOORE [a] to contact Senator THOMAS of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and HULL. His report reads as follows:
"The
United States is not bluffing. If Japan invades again, the United States will
fight with Japan. Psychologically the American people are ready. The Navy is
prepared and ready for action."
2.
Yesterday evening, Sunday, a certain Cabinet member, discarding all quibbling,
began by saying to me:
"You
are indeed a dear friend of mine and I tell this to you alone." Then he
continued: "The American Government is receiving a number of reliable
reports that Japan will be on the move soon. The American Government does not
believe that your visit on Monday to the President or the coming of Mr. KURUSU
will have any effect on the general situation."
I
took pains to explain in detail how impatient the Japanese have grown since the
freezing; how they are eager for a quick understanding; how both the Government
and the people do not desire a Japanese-American war; and how we will hope for
peace until the end.
He
replied, however
"Well,
our boss, the President, believes those reports and so does the Secretary of
State."
Army 24655 Trans. 11/12/41 (2)
[a] Frederick Moore-Legal Adviser to the Japanese Embassy in Washington.
[Secret]
From: Washington (Nomura)
To: Tokyo
November 10, 1941
Purple (CA)
(Urgent)
#1066 (Part 2 of 2)
In
the newspapers and magazines, with the exception of the Daily News and the Hearst
Papers, it is reported that the Americans are much more eager for a war with
Japan than they are for one with Germany. It is said that some of the British
are using this inclination for their own advantage and that already parleys
have been started for joint Anglo-American action. Suggestions have already
been made to the effect that it is necessary for some of the British fleet to
be located in the Pacific. Now even if the President and other statesmen do not
follow this trend, who can say how it will be? The friend I just spoke of told
me that the United States cannot stop now because if Japan moves something will
have to be done since it is a question of the United States saving its face.
3.
Well, in any case, I am going to see the President today and talk with him on
the bases of your instructions. You may be sure that I will do my very best.
Army 24656 Trans. 11/12/41 (2)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)