711.94/1560: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
259. Your 546, July 8, 11 a.m.
1. The Department authorizes you in your discretion to communicate to Mr. X either in writing—we suggest a memorandum—or orally a message, closely paraphrased, along lines substantially as follows:15
“I have informed my Government from time to time of views expressed by you to me on the subject of Japanese-American relations. My reports of your views have been studied by my Government with interest and my Government notes with appreciation your desire to contribute to the promotion of cooperation between Japan and the United States.
In view of your belief in the possibility of effecting a settlement of the Far Eastern situation which would be fair and satisfactory to all concerned and of your belief that a useful purpose might be served by your making a trip to the United States to lay your views in person before appropriate officials of the American Government, perhaps you would care, consistently with that belief, to consider the making at this time of such a trip. I feel that I can assure you that in the event that you should decide to undertake such a trip American officials will be glad to discuss with you such problems as have been the subject of our conversations here. You will of course realize that it would be impossible for me in advance of fuller information to offer an opinion on what would be the reaction of my Government to any suggestions which you might make, and that accordingly my having expressed myself in this manner to you does not imply any commitment either on my part or on the part of my Government with regard to the attitude which the American Government would adopt toward the suggestions.”
2. Should Mr. X decide to make the trip the Department desires that you enjoin upon him the desirability of minimizing publicity, especially in regard to the fact of your having given him a message as above outlined. It is suggested that it would be desirable also for you to point out to Mr. X that he should not expect to be received in this country with official entertainment or special official or semiofficial attention, for which there is little provision in our democratic practices, and that he should also make due allowances for the current preoccupation in this country with the domestic political situation and problems of national security.
- In his telegram No. 573, July 13, 11 a.m., Ambassador Grew informed the Department that a memorandum had been handed by an intermediary to Mr. X (711.94/1574).↩