[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)