761.9411/52: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Dooman)
Washington, August 30,
1939—noon.
267. Your 438, August 25, 9 p.m.,76 and 444, August 28, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- The Department appreciates having the information and valuable comments given in these and other recent telegrams.
- 2.
- The Department concurs in the views expressed by you to the British Ambassador as reported in the first telegram under reference.
- 3.
- The Department offers for your guidance in your discussions of this general subject with your interested colleagues observations as follows: it is our feeling that we should for the present at least refrain from any direct attempt to influence Japanese official deliberations in regard to foreign policy; such restraint appears to be especially advisable while the situation in Europe and the situation in Tokyo continue to be obscure; it would seem that attempts to influence the Japanese at the present juncture might be misunderstood by them; and there is greater likelihood of Japan’s attitude toward the United States—and toward various other powers possessed of substantial interests in the Far East—improving if Japan is left to her own deliberations and is not subjected to any suggestion of advice or threats or blandishments by this country.
- 4.
- On August 25 the Ambassador at London reported that the head of the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office had informed the Ambassador that the British desire to give the Japanese an indication of British readiness to help Japan in their perplexity resulting from the situation created by the conclusion of the German-Soviet agreement if they can do so when the Japanese show signs of desiring such help, that it would be a mistake to push the Japanese too fast, and that the British prefer to let the logic of events themselves impress the Japanese with the utility of cooperating with the non-totalitarian nations.
- 5.
- We concur in the view expressed by you in the last sentence of your 444, August 28, 5 p.m., and are confident that, in the event of there developing in Japan some momentum toward restoring good relations with us, you will bear in mind, in view of the continued disregard by Japanese authorities of American rights in China notwithstanding repeated assurances of intention to respect those rights, the consideration that emphasis should be upon implementation of Japanese expressions of good intentions rather than mere reassertions thereof.
- 6.
- The Department will continue to bear in mind your desire for information or suggestions in regard to the subject under reference, as expressed in your 438, August 25, 9 p.m.
Hull