711.942/381: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 18—8:30 a.m.]
686. 1. The Minister for Foreign Affairs asked me to call on him today and informed me definitely of the intention of the Japanese [Page 620] Government to open the Yangtze River to general navigation as far as Nanking “in about 2 months”. The Minister added that for the time being certain restrictions would probably have to be imposed on such navigation owing to the military operations in China.
2. The Minister definitely proposed a modus vivendi to carry on Japanese-American commercial relations after the expiration of the present Treaty of Commerce and Navigation and expressed the hope that as little time is now left before the expiration of the treaty negotiations for a new treaty could commence shortly, if possible before Christmas. I replied that I had no instructions with regard to this matter and asked if the Minister desired me to communicate this to my Government as a definite proposal from him. He replied in the affirmative.
3. Further details will be telegraphed to the Department in due course.