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

741.94/481

The Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to the Secretary of State

[Washington,] February 28, 1941.

Mr. Secretary: These two documents, one of which covers the remarks made by Prime Minister Churchill to the Japanese Ambassador and the other of which is the text of the British Government’s note, handed by Churchill to the Ambassador, were given to Mr. Dunn²⁸ last evening by an officer of the British Embassy.

Assuming that the memorandum of Mr. Churchill’s remarks to the Japanese Ambassador accurately and comprehensively covers what was said, it would appear to me that Mr. Churchill, while speaking in a conciliatory and friendly manner, made no concessions and indicated pretty clearly that the Japanese, were they to move against British or Dutch territories in the Far East, might expect to encounter a firm and perhaps very comprehensive resistance.

S[tanley] K. H[ornbeck]

[Annex 1]

Memorandum of Conversation, by the British Prime Minister (Churchill)

Before handing the memorandum to the Japanese Ambassador we had some conversation in which I dwelt upon the long and friendly relations between our two countries, my own feelings towards Japan since the alliance of nineteen hundred and two and the great desire felt here not to sunder relations. Japan could not expect us to view with approval what was going on in China but we had maintained a correct attitude of neutrality very different from that we had shown when we had helped Japan in her war against Russia.

2. I assured the Ambassador that we had not the slightest intention of attacking Japan nor any wish to see her other than prosperous and peaceful. I said what a pity it would be if with China already on her hands Japan should find herself at war with Great Britain and the United States. This would not only extend the conflict but prolong the war. I then made clear the point in the memorandum which referred to Mr. Matsuoka’s mediation offer.

3. The Ambassador said he quite understood the point about mediation which had only been mentioned as part of a general attitude. Japan had no intention of attacking us or the United States nor had she any desire to become involved in war with either power. The Japanese would not attempt to attack Singapore or Australia and the Ambassador repeated several times that they would not attempt to gain a footing or make encroachments in the Netherlands East Indies. Perhaps they had made a mistake in entering China but even we made mistakes sometimes and it was our partisanship for the Chinese which had caused some estrangement with Japan.

4. I pointed out that the military measures we had taken were purely defensive and that Singapore was a defensive point designed only to enable us to join hands with Australasia who was dear to us. The Ambassador did not contest this but complained against the Press campaign. I said this campaign had not been started by the Government but arose out of the Far Eastern developments and utterances of Japanese statesmen. I thought it had done good and cleared the air because now not only small military circles who largely control the Japanese Government but the whole Japanese nation saw what was going on and the dangers ahead. I had confidence that the Japanese did not wish to embark on such a tremendous struggle as would be inevitable if they went to war with the British and the Americans. The Ambassador renewed his protestations and claimed that all Japan wanted was to preserve the peace of the Pacific.

5. I felt bound to remind the Ambassador of the tripartite pact and said it was ever in our minds. One could not believe that the pact so much in favour of Germany and so little in favour of Japan had not got some secret provision and at any rate Japan had left us in doubt as to the interpretation she would put upon it in certain eventualities. The Pact had been a very great mistake for Japan. Nothing had more harmed her relations and nothing had brought Great Britain and the United States closer together. The Ambassador referred to the explanations made at the time and claimed that Japan’s aim had been to limit the conflict.

6. The Ambassador’s manner throughout was friendly and depreciatory.

[Annex 2]

Memorandum by the British Prime Minister (Churchill)

In the Secretary of State’s absence I received the Japanese Ambassador today and handed him a communication of which the following is the text:

The Note from His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs containing message to His Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been laid before the Prime Minister.

2. The Prime Minister is gratified to observe that Mr. Matsuoka sees no reason to apprehend any untoward developments in East Asia and notes with satisfaction his assurances about the peaceful intentions of the Imperial Japanese Government.

3. Since Mr. Matsuoka, for his part makes reference to “movements of British-American Governments in their attempt to expedite and enlarge the warlike preparations”, the Prime Minister would allow himself to offer certain observations which he hopes may remove any misunderstandings of the position of His Majesty’s Government.

4. There is no question of His Majesty’s Government making any attack upon or committing any act of aggression against Japan; and the Prime Minister is sure that this also represents the intentions of the United States; though, of course he cannot claim to speak for them. All preparations which are being made in oriental regions by Great Britain and the United States are of a purely defensive character. Incidentally, the Prime Minister would wish to assure Mr. Matsuoka that the concern which Mr. Eden expressed to the Japanese Ambassador was not based exclusively on reports from His Majesty’s Ambassador at Tokyo, but on the course of events in the Far East and on a study of the speeches of the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs himself.

5. Turning now to the war in progress in Europe between Great Britain and Germany it will be within Mr. Matsuoka’s recollection that, before the outbreak of the war His Majesty’s Government made every effort by concessions and reasonable dealings to avert hostilities. That is recognized throughout the world and indeed the Government of the day in this country were severely criticized for having travelled too far along this road. Their efforts were unavailing, and the German Government by attacking Poland after so many breaches of faith and of treaties chose the arbitrament of war.

6. His Majesty’s Government having thus been forced to enter this grievous quarrel have no thought but to carry it to a victorious conclusion. Naturally it takes some time for the peaceful communities which compose the British Empire to overthrow military preparations of countries which have long been exulting in their martial might and adapting their industries to war production. But even now His Majesty’s Government feels well assured of their ability to maintain themselves against all comers and they have every reason to hope that within a few months they will, with the rapidly increasing supply of materials which is coming from the United States, be overwhelmingly strong.

7. Mr. Matsuoka makes allusion to the help which this country is receiving from the United States. The Prime Minister would observe that help is being given for the very reason that the battle which this country is waging is for the overthrow of the system of lawlessness and violence abroad and the collaboration of cruelty and tyranny at home which constitutes the German Nazi régime.

8. It is this system that the peoples of the British Empire, with the sympathy and support of the whole English-speaking world, are determined to extirpate from the continent of Europe. His Majesty’s Government have no designs upon the integrity or independence of any other country and they have no advantage for themselves except the satisfaction of having rid the earth of a hateful terror and of restoring freedom to the many insulted and enslaved nations of the European continent. This they would regard as the greatest honour that could reward them and the crowning episode in what for the Western world is a long continuity of history.

9. Mr. Matsuoka, with the loftiest motives, has hinted at his readiness to act as mediator between the belligerents. The Prime Minister is sure that in the light of what he has said and upon further reflection Mr. Matsuoka will understand that in causes of this kind not in any way concerned with territorial, trade or material gains, but affecting the whole future of humanity, there can be no question of compromise or parley.

10. It would be a matter of the profoundest regret to His Majesty’s Government if by any circumstances Japan and this country were to become embroiled, and this not only because of their recollection of the years during which the two countries were happily united in alliance but also such a melancholy event would both spread and prolong the war without, however, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government altering its conclusion.

28. James C. Dunn, Adviser on Political Relations.