751G.94/75: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Matthews), at Vichy
440. Your 496, September 5, 6 p.m., and 505, September 6, 4 p.m., Department’s 418, September 4, 6 p.m. On the occasion of Ambassador Grew’s representations described in the Department’s telegram under reference, the Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs orally informed Mr. Grew that there would be no permanent occupation of Indochina by the Japanese forces, which would be withdrawn as soon as the military necessity no longer exists.
In your discretion, you may orally and informally communicate to Chauvel the substance of the above and make comment along lines as follows:
The situation in the Far East is one which for some time, as the French Government is aware, has been followed with the closest attention by this Government. Recently, at a moment when we felt that our policies and those of France were parallel, the French authorities approached us with a view to cooperative effort in regard to developments relating to Indochina, and this Government took action in reaffirmation of its previously declared interest—as the French Government has been informed. It now appears that, notwithstanding our request to be kept fully apprised of the trend of [Page 105] negotiations on which the Vichy Government was engaged, certain important information regarding developments was not given us, and we were naturally surprised upon learning of the measure of assent on the part of the French Government that had been permitted to develop. This Government, of course, recognizes that situations arise in which it is sometimes necessary or advisable to acquiesce in restrictions imposed unilaterally upon rights. We feel, however, that there is little if any warrant for entering into agreements which give affirmative assent to a derogation of principles and certainly no warrant for acquiescing in restrictions upon and violation of rights at a moment when we are being asked to cooperate in support of those rights.
You should say, in addition, that this Government deprecates the giving of a recognition by the French Government to a claim of a Japanese preponderance of interest and a privileged economic position in Indochina and an assent to a violation by Japan of French and other rights and interests there; that we perceive no good reason for associating ourselves with an assent to an unlawful procedure by asking Japan to give us the same assurances that it has given to the French Government; and that we wonder what value may be attached to such assurances.
Please emphasize that our interest in the maintenance of the status quo in French Indochina arises out of and is a part of the general policy which this Government endeavors constantly and consistently to pursue of respect for the status quo except as changes may be and are brought about through orderly processes with due consideration for the rights and the legitimate interests of all concerned. This policy we believe to be sound; we endeavor to pursue it in the entirety of our foreign relations; and we recommend it unreservedly to all other governments. We believe that the French Government favors it in principle and we hope that the French Government will find possible to favor it in practice.