[Secret]
 
From: Tokyo (Togo) 
To: Hanoi 
November 28, 1941 
Purple (YO) 
#93.

 

Re your #118 [a].

 

The trend of Japan-American negotiations is as I told you in my circular #2414 [b]. The current outlook is as I delineated in my circular #2416 [b]. Even though the worst possible situation developed, and it will in all likelihood, the Imperial Government has made no decisions with regard to changing the position of the French Indo-Chinese Government. Therefore, I would like to have you give due consideration to the policy of maintaining the status quo for the time being. If you have no objections, bearing this in mind, I would have you act with prudence.

 

We have transmitted this to France and Germany.

 
Army 25547                                            Trans. 12-1-41 (5)
 
[a] S.I.S. #25345 in which Hanoi suggests that they be advised as early as possible whether the status quo will be maintained as far as French Indo-China's governmental set-up is concerned, so that pre-arrangements can be made.
[b] Not available.
 

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