No. 359

 

FROM: Tokyo (Japanese Foreign Minister)                                         July 10, 1941

TO: Washington                                                                                   # 1481

 http://LOUIS2J2SHEEHAN.US

(Circular)

 

Message to Berlin # 630. Secret.

 

There have been a good many reports from the United States and other places that Italy and Germany are nonplussed. Although I, myself, (the Foreign Minister), have complete faith in the explanation made by Ribbentrop, please send anything you can about it. It is said that the peace rumor is a machination (activity) of England and the United States. Please find out from Ribbentrop at a convenient opportunity exactly what the German opinion is of the true intent of this activity. Please telegraph the gist. This has been sent to England, America, and the Soviet.

 

Trans. 7‑24‑41

 

A-181

 

No. 360

 

FROM: Chicago (Olmori)                                                                    August 2, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 25.

 

As you are well aware, it is best to observe the conversion of automobile factories into manufacturing centers of military goods in order to secure an idea as to the extent of United States Government's stepping up all defense plans. The details concerning current contract amounts and items of production that have been assigned to the automobile industry in this area are as follows:

The General Motors Corporation has defense contracts amounting to $275,000,000. These call for the production of trucks, antiaircraft guns, airplane parts and airplane engines.

Ford has contracts amounting to $778,000,000 calling for the production of bombers, airplane engines, armored cars, and trucks.

Chrysler has defense contracts amounting to $375,000,000 for the production of tanks, trucks, anti‑aircraft guns and parts for bombers.

Packard has defense contracts amounting to $245,000,000 which call for the production of aircraft engines and airplane ‑‑‑‑‑.

Relayed to Washington and New York.

 

Trans. 8‑8‑41

 

No. 361

 

FROM: New York (Morishima)                                                           August 2, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 379.

 

With regard to HOPKINS' mission in the Soviet, though officials in Washington generally give the explanation that he has gone there to confer on aid in the form of supplies to the Soviet, DENNY, diplomatic editorial writer for the Script Howard newspaper, wrote under date of the 31st in a Washington dispatch that since Germany and the Soviet were so deeply involved in war, the Soviet was demanding not only complete material assistance, but also that joint British and American military activities be commenced not only in Germany's rear, but in Norway as well. On the other hand in England and the United States it would seem that there is a desire that, in the event of thorough going activity in the war against Germany and against Japan, that the Soviet offer a guarantee to attack Japan. http://Louis1J1Sheehan.us

Whether or not HOPKINS and STALIN are able to decide upon an agreement cannot be predicted, but it would seem clear that such was HOPKINS' mission there. LAWRENCE DENNIS on the same day in his "Work Letter" said that he had heard that HOPKINS' mission in the Soviet was ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑--. The "Daily Worker", in a front page editorial, reported that HOPKINS' mission was to bring about joint British, American and Russian international cooperation. This is for your information.

Relayed to Washington.

 

Trans. 7‑8‑41

 

A-182

 

THE "MAGIC" BACKGROUND OF PEARL HARBOR

 

No.  362

 

FROM: Washington (Nomura)                                                             August 4, 1941

TO: Moscow, Berlin                                                                            # 225.

 http://Louis-j-sheehan.com

(Circular) (Message to Tokyo # 648)

 Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

1. I have made a thorough study of the notes exchanged between America and Soviet Russia which extend the validity of the American. Soviet trade agreement of August 6, 1937 up to August 6, 1942.

2. The above‑mentioned notes were exchanged between America and the Soviet at the same time as were those, the gist of which you received in my wire # 649 [a].

The above was announced by the State Department at 8 o'clock on the 4th. (4th., 8:30 A.M.)

Relayed to ‑‑‑‑‑.

 

[a] Regarding American‑Japanese relations with regard to exports and the French‑Indo China question:

 

Trans. 8‑11‑41

 

No.  363

 

FROM: Washington (Nomura)                                                             May 20, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 325.

 

I have decided hereafter in the case of intelligences which I consider reliable to start them with the word "Jōkō" (first priority) and in the case of those which are mere hearsay, but sufficiently important to be brought to your attention, with "jōōtsu" (secondary importance).

Please note.

 

Trans. 5‑22‑41

 

No.  364

 

FROM: Tokyo (Matsuoka)                                                                   June 4, 1941

TO: Berne, Washington & Mexico                                                       # 1180.

 

(Circular)

 

Hereafter when you have intelligence messages to send us, please consider where you got them from, their substance and degree of reliability. Those which you consider almost certain mark "Jōkō ', primary importance, and those of which the reliability is questionable mark "Jōōtsu", secondary importance.

Trans. 6‑14‑41

 

A-183

 

No. 365

 

FROM: Washington (Nomura)                                                             July 8, 1941

TO: Tokyo                                                                                           # 473.

 

Re your Circular # 1367 [a] .

 

I think it would be well to:

 

1. Burn up all the account books in the respective offices except those for the last three or four years.

2. In order to insure against any disruption of financial management of the respective offices, collect all funds to be paid up to the end of the fiscal year and wire the same.

3. After checking up on the fixtures now in possession, without reference to the ledger, prepare a list of the fixtures actually necessary.

4. If a suitable purchaser could be found, sell the official land situated on "N" Street in our city.

 

[a] Not available.

 

Trans. 7‑9‑41

 

No. 366

 

FROM: Washington (Nomura)                                                             May 17, 1941

TO: Tokyo (Gaimudaijin)                                                                    Unnumbered.

 

(Washington to Tokyo # 313)

 

(Re your extra.)

 

I redispatch my message as follows:

 

No.  313.

 

Re your Circular message # 584 [a].

 

I am having the person in charge put matters in order. However, the records of this office have been kept in a rather disorderly fashion, and furthermore, the number of items which are handled by this office as a daily routine is fairly high.

For these reasons, it is practically impossible for one man to even attempt to tackle the older documents. We would like to select some one to assist in the work of putting this office in order immediately. (This person would be one who was selected by the San Francisco Consulate‑General.)

Please give the matter of employing this man at one hundred dollars a month and allowing him $180 traveling expenses, your consideration. In view of the critical times, will you reply immediately.

 

[a] "Because of present critical international situation separate at once all secret documents into a special class. Bum all other documents immediately, in strict secrecy, excepting a few that‑may be currently needed."

 

Trans. 5‑20‑41

 

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