894.6363/296: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
160. 1. Reference Department’s 140, November 6, 3 p.m. Has any action been taken under this authorization?
2. Reference your 259, December 14, 1 p.m., and 261, December 17, 11 a.m.
Mr. Coe of Standard Vacuum has called at Department this morning and supplied details, confirming last sentence your telegram 259, and the present problem has been discussed at length. Department [Page 801] concurs in your view and that of your British colleague that diplomatic representations should be made at this time, but feels that, rather than to follow the procedure suggested of conversations in Washington and London respectively, it would be more expedient to have conversations held by you and your British colleague respectively with the Japanese Prime Minister.88 We feel that ambassadors on the spot are more completely familiar with the facts antecedent and present and have a more effective feel of the situation and of what might most appropriately and effectively be said than could officials in Washington and in London. We doubt the advisability of “strong representations” in a positive sense at this stage, as we estimate that such representations would not be effective. We therefore envisage an approach in the form of an expression of anxiety regarding the future in Japan of the foreign oil interests concerned, respectively, with request for a clear indication that it is not the desire of the Japanese Government to drive the foreign oil companies out and an express request that the assurances sought by these oil interests be given in writing.
Department desires that you discuss this matter along lines suggested above immediately with your British colleague and that, if you and he agree that this line of approach is practicable, you ask him to suggest this line to his Government and to seek from it authorization, such as the Department now gives you for parallel action, so to proceed. Department desires that action taken by the two Governments be approximately simultaneous and substantially identical in character. You therefore will take action vis-à-vis the Japanese Government only when your British colleague is prepared to take similar action. Department strongly feels that such procedure at Tokyo would have distinct advantages over the suggested procedure of approaches at London and Washington.
- Koki Hirota.↩