Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The Far East, Volume IV

756D.94/82: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, October 9, 1940—6 p.m.

389. Your 928, October 2, 6 p.m., continuing your 927.¹⁵

1. This Government has made no assumption that “the Japanese are completely occupied by their activities in China and Indochina.” Statements made to Lord Lothian on September 19 were to the effect that, occupied as they still are in China, and taking on as they are new activities in Indochina, and with the thus existing strain upon their man power and their economic resources, the Japanese would not, in the light of naval disposals prevailing in the Pacific, be likely to embark upon a campaign against the Netherlands East Indies if they had reason to believe that such a campaign would require the sending of a large naval force and substantial landing forces.

2. We feel it desirable that you make sure that the British Ambassador or anyone else in Japan who may make references in conversation or communications with or to you to Mr. Welles’ statement regarding possibility of settling disputes between Japan and the United States by amicable negotiation take into consideration the specifications contained in that statement. You will, of course, for that purpose, have in mind the proviso contained in the pertinent paragraph of Mr. Welles’ statement under reference.¹⁶

3. We take full cognizance of the possibility of a Japanese attack sooner or later upon Hong Kong and Singapore. We feel, however, that the considerations of which account is given in paragraph 1 above apply also in connection with those possibilities.

Hull

15. See footnote 7, p. 161.
16. For extract from address by the Under Secretary of State on September 28 at Cleveland, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 112.