The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-12-04

defense preparations were rusned.
 On Nov. 10, 1e41, Kurusu ar- rived in Washington.
 Kurusu, short and slender, was a contrast to the big, broad Nomura. Adept in American slang, he spoke of running for touchdowns, hitting home runs, fighting chances for peace.
 Hui received Kurusu and No- mura on the day after Kurusu's are rival. Ill expressed hope that Japan and the United States could pursue policies of wise and far- sighted staesmanship and contribute to a world move toward peace.
 Kurusu said there was a feeling in Japan, since the freezing order, that if Japan had to fight us she should do it while she still could.
 Hull said Japanese extremists seemed to be looking for trouble and that the Japanese government ought to take the situation by the collar
 The three men met again at Hu'l's hotel apartment on November i9. On the goth the Japanese brought what. must have been their take i; or leave 1t offer:
 l. Japan and the United States would agree not to advance rnili- tariIy in any regions of the south ern Pacific except as Japanese
 troops might be depIoyed in French IndO- China.
 2. Japan would withdraw troops from Indo-C China upon establish ment of peace between China and Japan.
 3. The United States and Japan would cooperate in obtaining raw materials from the East Indies.
 1. Commercial relations would be restored to their status prior to the freezing orders.
 5. The United States would cease aid to China.
 Hull spoke of the Axis tri-partite pact and said the American people believed Japan to be chained to Adolf Hitler.
 We can not abrogate the treaty" Kurusu replied.
 On Nov. 9, at another meeting at Hulls apartment, Kurusu said immediate relief of trade restrictions was necessary.
 "If a patient needs q 900 to effect a cure, an offer of $500 would do him no good" he added.
 If the Japanese government is as weak as all that" Hullocountered, nothing is likely to save it." Pick uptaoinshrdl tn motininotet
 On the evening of the 18th, Hull considered the idea of offering the Japanese a 00-day truce or breath ing spell" during which fresh ef- forts toward peace could be made. But on the following day. Hull, after consultation with President RooSe- welt, handed the Japanese docu- ment outlining broad but simple settlement of Pacific problems which could be worked out during our fur ther conversations"
 Kurusu's nervous mannerisms were more apparent than usual as he glanced through the document. He muttered as he read. Finally he said:
 If this Is the attitude of the American government I don't see how an agreement is possible. Tokyo will throw up it's hands at this" The Japanese again asked about a temporary agreement giving Japan oil and raw materials.
 T might almost be lynched if I permitted oil to go freely to Japan" Hull replied American public opinion is very strong on that point"
 Nomura. lapsing deeper into gloom. philosophical to the effect that public men should accept mar trydom if they knew they were right.
 Kurusu asked again about oil.
 We've been all through that" Hull said. I've done by best"
 On Nov. 28 Hull warned the Army and Navy that 1t looked as though the Japanese would strike.
 On December l Hull talked to the Japanese about threatening new troop movements in Indo-China.
 The people of Japan feel they are facing the alternative of sur render to the United States or fight ing you" Kurllsu said.
 At President RooSevelt's request, an inquiry was sent to Japan re- garding the Japanese endorsements to Indo-C China. An attack upon Thailand appeared likely at any hour.
 By now Japanese carriers were advancing to attack stations.
 So the Japanese Ambassadors brought in a note in which Tokyo blandly asserted the Indo-China troop movements were defensive in character.
 On Saturday night, December 6, President Roosevelt sent to Emperor Hirohito an urgent appeal for main tenance of peace. The connivings oi the warlordS in Tokyo prevented the message from reaching the Em- peror in time to have an effect.
 Kurusu and Nomura asked for ar. appointment with Hull at 1 p. m December 2. They then asked 45- minute postpOnement. The three met at 2:2O D. n. Japanese bombs were falling on Pearl Harbor. The attack had start ed an hour before. Neither Kurusu nor Nomura mentioned that fact They handed Hull a lengthy docu- ment. declaring Japan's belief that Tt is impossible to reach an agree ment through further negotiations. Hull read the communication with growing disgust. Then he spoke in words which have become part oi American history:
 Tn all my 50 years of public serv. ice have never seen document that was more crowded with infam-