Evening star., 1941-12-08
Text us Exchanges Letter to oho apan War Declaration

Japanese government desires to call
the attention of the American Gov
ernment especially to the following
points:
l. The American Government ad-
vocates in the name Of world peace
those principles favorable to 1t and
urges upon the Japanese govern
ment the acceptance thereof. The
peace of the world may be brought
about only by discovering a mutual
ly acceptable formula through rec
ognition of the reality Of the situa-
ton and mutual appreciation of one
another's position. An attitude such
as ignores realities and imposes
ones selfish views upon others will
scarcely serve the purpose of facili-
tating the consummation Of negoti-
ations.
OF the various principles put for
ward by the American Government
as basis OF the Japanese-Ameri-
can agreement, there are some
which the japanese government Is
ready to accept in principle, but in
view of the worlds actual condition
1t seems only a utopian ideal on the
part of the American Government 20
attempt to force their immediate
adoption.
Again, the proposal to conclude
a multilateral n-aggression pact
between Japan, United States, Great
Britain. China, the Soviet Union,
the Netherlands and Thailand,
which is patterned after the old
concept Of collective security, is far
removed from the realities Of East
Asia.
Reference to Agreement.
2. The American proposal con-
tanned a stipulation which states
Both governments will agree that
no agreement, which either has
concluded with any third power or
powers, shall be interpreted by it in
such a way as to conflict with the
fundamental purpose of this agree
ment, the establishment and preser-
vation OF peace throughout the
Pacific area" 1t Is presumed that
the above provision has been pro-
posed with a view to restrain Japan
from fulfilling its obligations under
the Tripartite pact when the United
States participates in the war in
Europe, and, as such. 1t cannot be
accepted by the japanese govern
ment.
The American Government, OBJ
sessed with its own views and
opinions, may be said to be schem-
ing for the extension Of the war.
While it seeks, on the one hand,
to secure its rear by stabilizing the
Pacific area, 1t is engaged, on the
other hand. in aiding Great Britain
and preparing to attack. in the
name of self-defense, Germany and
Italy. two powers that are striving
to establish a new order in Europe.
Such a policy is totally at variance
with the many principles upon
which the American Government
proposes to found the stability Of
the Pacific area through peaceful
means.
3. Whereas the American Govern
/ AiNiib. olldCl pi AllSipiNS ~
upholds, objects to settle interna-
tional issues through military press
ure, 1t is exercising in conjunction
with Great Britain and other ma
tions pressure by economic power
Recourse to such pressure as
means of dealing with international
relations should be condemned as 1t
/ {e al ivoh
military pressure.
4. 1t is impossible not to reach
the conclusion that the American
Government desires to maintain
| and strengthen, in coalition with
Great Britain and other powers. its
dominant position it has hitherto
occupied not only in China but in
other areas of East Asia. 1t Is a
fact Of history that the countries Of
East Asia for the past hundred
years or more have been compelled
to observe the status quo under the
Anglo-American policy Of imperial
istic exploitation and to sacrifice
themselves to the prosperity of the
two nations. The Japanese govern
ment cannot tolerate the perpetu-
alton of such a situation since it
directly runs counter to Japans
fundamental policy to enable all
nations to enjoy each its proper
place in the world.
The stipulation proposed by the
American Government relative to
French Indo-C China is a good exem-
plification of the aforementioned
countries-Japan, the United States,
Great Britain, the Netherlands,
China and misunderstanding
France, should undertake among
themselves to respect the territorial
integrity and sovereignty Of French
Indo- China and equality Of treat