[Secret]
From: Washington
To: Tokyo
23 November 1941
(Purple)
#1160 (In 2 parts, complete)
Re
my #1159*
From
Kurusu.
Secretary
Hull and I conferred for about a half an hour on the 21st to arrange our talks
for the 22nd. At that time Hull said that he thought my idea of attaching so
much importance to the agreement that it would outshine the Tripartite Pact, as
expressed by me during our talks on the 18th, was wholeheartedly in favor of
peace on the Pacific through joint action of the United States and Japan, and
through this accomplishment, to contribute to the peace of the world.
He
went on to say that he still remembers with pleasure that at the Economic Conference
in London, he fought for free commerce shoulder to shoulder with Viscount Isii
and (Eigo Fukai?). Hull said that he has looked upon Japan's leadership in the
Far East as only a natural phenomenon. It is true that Japan's actions and
statements regarding the East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere have been slightly on
the unpolished and abrupt side but he is able to be sympathetic with the spirit
of it.
(Part 2) (Garbled)
As
long as Japan strives for this goal without resorting to the force of arms, the
United States has nothing against the program and has no intention of
interfering with its realization.
"I
would like to see the U. S.-Japanese relationship which existed shortly
subsequent to the Russo-Japanese war reestablished. At that time Japan and the
United States exercised their influence over the Far East and the Western
Hemisphere respectively, but at the same time maintained very friendly
relations and close cooperation in all matters with each other.
"I
hope that we can revive the spirit of those times and reach an agreement to
maintain peace on the Pacific. At the same time, I wish that Japan would make
it clear that the Tripartite Pact is not an obstacle to attaining that
goal".
Under
the present critical conditions, the United States acceptance or rejection of
our Proposal "B" may have a vital bearing on whether or not the
negotiations will break down. However, because of the circumstances outlined in
my message referred to in the heading, we may receive some proposal from Hull
with regard to an agreement covering the Pacific area on Monday.
In
the meantime, if you have any suggestions which may lead to a settlement,
please advise us immediately.
25397
JD-1: 6857 (D) Navy Trans. 11-27-41 (2)
*JD-1: 6839 (S.I.S. #25347).
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)