Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East, Volume III

711.94/1355: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, November 27, 1939—noon.
[Received 2:05 p.m.]

633. Our 615, November 21, 6 p.m.

1. On November 24 Dooman had a conversation lasting 4 hours with the Japanese to whom I have referred as Mr. X. Dooman explained that American interest in China is not confined to economic and cultural fields but includes, along with treaty rights and interests, a lively sympathy and concern in the desire of the Chinese people for a stable form of government capable of resisting encroachment from whatever direction. He made it clear that it would be illusory to expect that American capital would be forthcoming for the development of the occupied areas in China by the Japanese primarily if not exclusively for their own benefit.¹⁴

2. At the conclusion of the conversation Mr. X said that he realized that there would be little if any possibility of his proposition being favorably considered in American official circles but that nevertheless he might decide to visit the United States if such visit were not likely to be productive of harm.

Grew

14. The Department’s telegram No. 381, November 30, 5 p.m., approved the Ambassador’s effort “to discourage the proposal made to you”.