711.94/2198
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The Ambassador of Japan came to my hotel apartment at his request. He said he merely desired to call for a few minutes to say he thought that he and his associates were in agreement with the document which Mr. Ballantine had handed to him entitled “Unofficial, Exploratory and without Commitment”, dated May 31, 1941, with the exception of some of the phraseology. He then said that he would like to have his subordinates and my associates talk over this phase while he was absent in New York during the next few days. I replied that his statement was interesting and that I would be pleased to notify my two associates, Messrs. Hamilton and Ballantine, to the end that the desired conversation might be had.
I then very slowly and deliberately asked the Ambassador whether it was his considered judgment that his Government seriously and earnestly desired to enter into a settlement for peace and non-discriminatory commercial relations and friendship generally in the Pacific area. He promptly replied that that was his judgment. I remarked that, in the light of the loud statements which Matsuoka and others were daily making, the question which I propounded was sharply raised, and that one was forced back to the inquiry of whether Japan really is seeking this sort of settlement, or whether she is only seeking a way to get out of China, and otherwise to go forward with methods and practices entirely contrary to the principles which would have [Page 455] to underlie a settlement establishing peace, non-discriminatory commerce and fair friendly relations in the Pacific area. The Ambassador reiterated his view that an earnest and fair settlement was desired.
I then inquired about the policy of keeping Japanese troops stationed in China indefinitely, and added that this was an extremely important point in the situation and expressed the hope that the Government of Japan was considering the viewpoint we had expressed. The Ambassador did not offer anything encouraging in his comment. I again emphasized the great importance of Japan’s giving this matter most serious study before taking the opposite course which is so completely discredited everywhere in the world. The Ambassador added nothing appreciably in his further comment.