Office of the Historian

711.94/20054/14

The Postmaster General (Walker) to the Secretary of State 30

undated

Memo

1.
We have already begun the preparation of the draft agreement.
2.
The Japanese representative is keeping in constant touch with Prince Konoye in private code. But at my request he sent on Sunday, March 9th, at 8:00 P.M., from Western Union, Commodore Hotel, a cable direct to the Premier Konoye, advising that it was most indiscreet for the Japanese Embassy to carry on conversations with Roy Howard.31 Yesterday he sent a long cable, in code, explaining the reasons. He also wrote the Washington Japanese Ambassador strongly criticizing his Embassy’s indiscretion.
3.
Mr. Wikawa is desirous that his Government will not take any further steps until after his consultation with Col. Iwakuro who is arriving at San Francisco about March 20th or 21st.
4.
Mr. Wikawa has suggested to Prince Konoye that he himself should open the Honolulu Conference in the event that President Roosevelt would agree to do likewise.
5.
The journey of Foreign Minister Matsuoka is interpreted as a maneuver (1) to keep the German door open and (2) to get Matsuoka out of the way so Prince Konoye himself may conveniently exercise more direct control should negotiations with the United States take place.
6.
The Japanese delegates to the Honolulu Conference have been considered tentatively as Prince Konoye, Baron Wak[a]tsuki (Advisor to the Throne, twice Premier, Elder Statesman); Baron Goh; Baron Hiranuma, General Muto or Iwakuro for the Army, Admiral Oka for the Navy—and four others to total ten delegates, not counting experts, clerks, etc.
7.
As there has been a “leak” in Japan of the Government’s desire to negotiate with the United States—”We must anticipate sharp and drastic opposition from the fifth columnists in Japan.” (Words of Admiral Nomura.)
8.
Col. Iwakuro has cabled, through a friend before sailing on the Tatsuta Maru, “Don’t worry. Bringing detailed instructions Axis formula.”
9.
It would be most helpful if all Port Authorities and Airline personnel at San Francisco could be instructed to grant great courtesy to Col. Takao Iwakuro of the War Department in Japan. N. B. (He does not speak English.) Mr. Wikawa will fly from here to San Francisco to meet Col. Iwakuro and discuss with him the preliminary draft that will have been prepared here meanwhile. (The Japanese are much impressed by courteous reception, etc.)

P. S. (1) By arrangement with the hotel manager of The Berkshire, 21 East 52nd Street, New York, I, and the Japanese representative, can be reached only by phone number and not by name. Phone—Plaza 3–5800; Room 1812.

P. S. (2) Has anyone considered Mr. Joseph Kennedy32 as “consultant” particularly for questions affecting the use of Japanese shipping?

P. S. (3) I shall keep you informed by typed memo most every day.

  1. Written notation at top of document: “N. B. Mr. Wikawa has read, and agreed to, this memo with the stipulation that it must remain absolutely confidential to yourself and the two other persons thus far concerned.” Initialed apparently by Father James M. Drought, transmitted to Mr. Walker for the Secretary of State and President Roosevelt, and “Reached SKH[ornbeck] on III–15–’41.”↩
  2. President of Scripps-Howard newspapers.↩
  3. Former Ambassador in the United Kingdom and former Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission.↩