Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

711.94/6–1941

Memorandum by Mr. Joseph W. Ballantine to the Secretary of State ⁴³

[Washington,] June 18, 1941.

Mr. Secretary: It is suggested that the Secretary may wish to send for the Japanese Ambassador and make an oral communication to him along lines as follows:

The Secretary appreciates the earnest efforts which have been made by the Japanese Ambassador and his associates to bring about a better understanding between our two countries and the frankness which has characterized their attitude throughout the conversations which have been held. This Government is no less desirous than the Japanese Ambassador to bring about better relations between the two countries, and in that spirit the Secretary has given careful study to every aspect of the Japanese proposal. During the course of our conversations we believe that we have come to understand better each other’s point of view, but there still remain two points in regard to fundamentals in respect to which our conversations have not resulted in reconciling our differences of viewpoint.

For oral statement handed by the Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador on June 21, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, Vol. ii, p. 485.

One of these two points concerns the relations of the two countries toward the European war. That is to say, we feel in the light of public statements which have been made by Japanese official spokesmen on the subject of Japan’s obligations under the Tripartite Pact in relation to the possibility of entry by the United States into the European war, that in order to offset these statements some assurance by the Japanese Government is needed that these obligations would not arise should the United States become involved in the European war through acts of self-defense. It seems desirable that some way be found by the Japanese Government to afford an indication of the attitude of the Japanese Government on this point.

The second point relates to the desire of the Japanese Government to include in its terms for a peaceful settlement to be offered to the Chinese Government a provision which would permit the retaining of Japanese troops in certain areas in Inner Mongolia and North China as a measure of cooperation with China in resisting communistic activities. While this Government fully appreciates the motives of the Japanese Government in seeking such a right, and while it does not desire to enter into the merits of such a proposal, it feels that in view of the liberal policies to which this administration is committed, as exemplified in its relations with other American republics, this Government would find it difficult to associate itself with any course which appeared to be inconsistent with these policies. Furthermore, although in matters affecting only this country we might have some latitude of decision as to the yielding of rights, we are involved in the point in question only because the proposal under consideration calls for action by this Government. Under the circumstances, as the matter affects the sovereign rights of a third country we feel that we have to be most scrupulous in dealing with the matter. Moreover, this Government has serious doubts whether the Chinese Government would entertain such a proposal. If the Japanese Government has reason to believe otherwise, it would be a question for the Japanese Government to decide whether it should itself make such a proposal to the Chinese Government.

With regard to the other aspects of the Japanese proposal for an understanding between our two Governments, we feel, from our point of view at least, that any difficulties which may remain are not of a serious character, and are susceptible of being cleared up in the course of our conversations here. In as much as there would appear to be no purpose in proceeding with these conversations until the two points already referred to as presenting fundamental difficulties have been surmounted, the Japanese Ambassador may wish in his discretion and judgment to consult his Government with reference to the question of whether the Japanese Government would be prepared to give further consideration to the two points under reference.

43. Submitted on June 19 by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State with a covering memorandum, as follows:

    “This is a revision of the paper Mr. Ballantine and I were discussing with you yesterday. It is our thought that you would ask the Japanese Ambassador to call and hand him this paper.

    “If convenient, Mr. Ballantine and I would like to drop in for a few minutes this afternoon sometime at your convenience to discuss the matter further. In the meantime we will expect to show this draft to Mr. Hornbeck and Mr. Hackworth.”