[Secret]
 
From: Tokyo 
To: Washington 
November 22, 1941. 
Purple (CA) (Urgent) 
#816.
 

So it seems that the United States is reluctant to definitely promise to do nothing to prevent the establishment of peace between Japan and China in accordance with Clause 4 of Proposal "B". Well, if they will accept our proposal "B", we will have no objection to letting President ROOSEVELT be our introducer. Through his mediation, on the basis of the American proposal (B) of the 12th, China would be made to express her friendly intentions toward Japan, and, as a result, peace negotiations would ensue. Then as soon as an armistice agreement were established between Tokyo and Chungking, there would be no basis in fact for continuance of American assistance to CHIANG KAI-SHEK. Thus, as a result of the mediation which President ROOSEVELT would exercise, CHIANG KAI-SHEK would by the American Government be caused to propose a cessation of hostilities. The American Government accordingly, hoping for the establishment of amicable relations between the Japanese and Chinese, should do her best to support our efforts in this direction and they should make it clear that they will refrain from any act that would hinder us in achieving this objective. Therefore, will you please endeavor to have the Americans accept our "B" proposal and, in case an understanding is reached, please endeavor by the date set in my #812 a to have the President prevail upon CHIANG KAI-SHEK to send us a peace proposal (a very brief one will be all right).

 
Army 25175                                           Trans. 11-24-41 (2) 
 
*S.I.S. #25138 in which the deadline is extended from the 25th to the 29th.
 

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(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)