(COPY)
| STRICTLY CO
ORAL
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
During past months the Governments of the United
States and of Japan, through the Secretary of State and
the Japanese Ambassador in Washington, have engaged in
protracted conversations directed toward exploring the
possibility of reaching a sound basis for negotiations
between the two countries relative to the maintenance
of peace with order and Justice in the Pacific. The
principles and policies which were under discussion in
these conversations precluded pursuit by either Govern-
ment of objectives of expansion by force or by threat
of force.
On July 24 last the President of the United States
informed the Japanese Government through the Japanese
Ambassador in Washington that he was willing to suggest
to the Governments of Great Britain, of The Netherlands
and
[StKICILY CUf\
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and of China that they make a binding and solemn
declaration that they had no aggressive intentions
with regard to Indochina and that they would agree
that the markets and raw materials of Indochina should
be available to all Powers on equal terms.    The Presi-
dent stated further that he would be willing to suggest
to the Powers mentioned that they undertake this decla-
ration, in which the United States would be willing to
Join, upon the understanding that the Government of
Japan would be disposed to make a similar declaration
and would be further disposed to withdraw its military
and naval forces from Indochina.
Notwithstanding these efforts, the Government of
Japan has continued its military activities and its
disposals of armed forces at various points in the Far
2ast and has occupied Indochina with its military, air
and naval forces.
The
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The Government of the United States is in full
sympathy with the desire expressed by the Japanese
Government that there be provided a fresh basis for
amicable and mutually profitable relations between our
two countries.    This Government's patience in seeking
an acceptable basis for such an understanding has been
demonstrated time and again during recent years and
especially during recent months.    This Government feels
at the present stage that nothing short of the most
complete candor on its part, in the light of evidence
and indications which come to it from many sources, will
at this moment tend to further the objectives sought.
Such being the case, this Government now finds it
necessary to say to the Government of Japan that if the
Japanese Government takes any further steps in pursuance
of a policy or program of military domination by force
or threat
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or threat of force of neighboring countries, the Gov-
ernment of the United States will be compelled to take
immediately any and all steps which it may deem neces-
sary toward safeguarding the legitimate rights and
interests of the United States and American nationals
and toward insuring the safety and security of the United
States-