740.0011 Pacific War/17: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
Batavia, October 31, 1940—3
p.m.
[Received October 31—9:02 a.m.]
[Received October 31—9:02 a.m.]
- 1.
- Van Mook told me this morning that he had definite official information that Japan had demanded that all rubber, metals, metal [Page 199] ores, salt and phosphates produced in French Indochina during the next few months, including available stocks, be exported to Japan only; that special consideration be given by the French Indochinese Government to such matters as export taxes, transportation, et cetera; and that large quantities of rice be sold to Japan at low prices. He added that he would be pleased if this information could leak out to the press in Washington provided that this can be done without divulging the source of information.
- 2.
- There have been no new developments in the negotiations here except that the Netherlands banks in Japan have reported confidentially that Japan will probably endeavor to arrange a guilder-yen exchange agreement free from all dollar influences although no move in that direction has been made here by the Japanese delegation.
- 3.
- No suggestions have been made by the Japanese concerning an agenda of the conference and the Netherlands authorities feel that the reason is because the Japanese delegates do not know what steps should be taken next.
- 4.
- Reference is made to the Department’s undated [unnumbered?] telegram of October 30. There is no inconsistency between Mukai’s acceptance of the oil offered and the communication referred to. After Mukai’s acceptance the Japanese delegation in effect requested the Netherlands delegation to increase the quantities and qualities if possible.
Foote