Office of the Historian

611b.9417/333a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the High Commissioner in the Philippine Islands (Sayre)

Washington, June 24, 1940—5 p.m.

136. The Japanese Ambassador49 has informed the Department of State that the Association of Japanese Exporters of Cotton Piece Goods desires a renewal for a period of 2 years, beginning August 1, 1940, of the existing arrangement relating to the importation into the Philippines of Japanese cotton piece goods. The American cotton textile interests favor a renewal of the arrangement for 1 year only. In view of the world situation today, which makes it extremely difficult to work out any new solution of the problem at this time, the various departments and agencies here concerned feel that this arrangement should be renewed for one year, but, before making this counter proposal to the Japanese Embassy, the Department desires to have your comments and those of the Commonwealth authorities.

Please expedite a reply as only 5 weeks remain before the expiration of the present arrangement.

Hull
  1. Kensuke Horinouchi.↩