Evening star., 1945-11-24
WeI|es Says U. S. Acceptance
Of Jops' Terms Was Only Way
To Avert Failure of 1941 Talks
Churchill Urged U. S.
To Warn Tokyo
Of War Threat
BY J. A. O'LEARY and
CARTER BROOKE JONES.

oy - a. " ALf1J1 anu
CARTER BROOKE JONES.
Only complete acquiescence BY
the United States in Japanese
domination of the Pacific anc
Asiatic areas would have avertec
the breakdown of peace negotia
tions in the fall of 1941, Summer
Welles, former Undersecretary Of
State, asserted before the Pear
Harbor Committee today.
Asked by Senator Ferguson, Re.
publican, of Michigan, if Cordel
Hulls final note to the Japs or
November 26 was an ultimatum
Mr.. Welles replied:
MY understanding is their note
OF November 20 was an ultimatum
to us, and that any reply short OF
complete acquiesence in Japanese
domination of the Pacific and Asia
would have been unacceptable"
When did you decide war was
inevitable?" Senator Ferguson con-
tinued.
Churchill Urged Warning.
1T had seemed to me from the
middle of September that there was
only the remotest possible chance
of reaching a peaceful settlement,
and that consequently hostilities
would probably be inevitable"
The committee revealed earlier
today that Winston Churchill sent
an urgent appeal to President
Roosevelt on November 80, 1871
one week before the Pearl Harbor
attack-to join Great Britain in
a secret or public" warning to
Japan that any further aggression
in the Pacific would lead to the
"gravest consequences"
Assistant Committee Counsel Ger
hard Gesell placed in the record the
secret message, in which Mr..
Churchill was described merely as
the former naval person"
Mr.. Gesell recalled the testimony
yesterday that in August, 1941, about
the time of the Roosevelt Churchill
Atlantic Charter meeting in the
mid-Atlantic, the former British
Prime Minister had urged Mr..
Roosevelt to join in a parellel warn
ing to Japan that further encroach-
ment might lead to war in the
Pacific. Mr.. Gesell said the Presi-
dent at that time handed Japan a
"watered down" version of the
Churchill draft, in which he served
notice that this country would take
steps to protect its nationals and its
security.
British Permit Disclosure.
When the committee reconvened
this morning, Mr.. Gesell said clear
ance had just been received from
Great Britain for the disclosure of
the later appeal sent by Mr.. Church.
Ill on November 80. The message
was forwarded to Washington by
American Ambassador John G.
Winant, and bore the introduction
Personal and secret for the Pres
ident from the former naval per-
SON." The message read:
1T seems to me that one impor-
tant method remains unused in
averting war between Japan and our
two countries, namely, plain dec
laration, secret or public as may be
thought best, that any further act
of aggression by Japan will lead i'm
mediately to the graveSt conse-
quences.
II realize your constitutional diff
culties but it would be tragic if ia
pan drifted into war by encroach-
ment without having before her fair
ly and squarely the dire character
OF a further aggressive step.
II beg you to consider whether, at
the moment which you Judge right
which may be very near, you should
not say that amy further japanese
aggression would compel you to
place the gravest issues before Con-
gress' or words to that effect. We
would, OF course, make a similar
declaration or share in a joint dec
laration. and in any case arrange
ments are being made to synchro-
nize our action with yours. Forgive
me. my dear friend, for presuming
to press such course upon you, but
I am convinced that it might make
all the difference and prevent a
melancholy extension of the war"
Earlier Warning From Churchill.
Mr.. Gesell also released another
message Mr.. Churchill had sent four
days earlier, November rs, in which
he told Mr.. Roosevelt I'VE certainly
do not want an additional war"
but added that If Chinese resistance
to Japan should collapse "our joint
dangers would increase enormously. +"
Mr.. Gesell explained this Churchill
message was in reply to one from
the President, in which Mr.. Roose-
welt had outlined the proposed
: modus vivendi, or temporary agree
ment, that was being considered
g here to avert hostilities with Japan.
Chang Kai-shek had made violent
protest against the modus vivendi,
which involved temporary trade
agreement with Japan.
Chang warned it would break
Chinese morale, and the modus
: vivendi was abandoned when for
mer Secretary of State Hull sent
the final note to Japan on Novem-
Der 26, outlining a broad basis for
peace in the Pacific. The Churchill
comment on the modus vivendi was
sent to Washington the same day,
and read:
Your message about Japan re-
ceived tonight. Also full accounts
from Lord Halifax of discussions and
your counterproject to Japan, on
which Foreign Secretary has sent
comments. OF course, it is for you
to handle this business and we GER
tainly do not want an additional
war.
There is only one point that dis
quiets us. What about Chang Kali
shek? Is he not having a very thin
diet? Our anxiety is about China.
It they collapse our joint dangers
would enormously increase. We are
sure that the regard of the United
States for the Chinese cause will
0ovory, vo,,r ortioy, yYya f>ol th.%