FROM: Mexico City (Miura) July 2, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 236.
Re paragraph # 2 of your # 111 [a] .
1. KATO, of Mexicali, spoke to the following effect to Emissary YAMAGATA and to the members of this office when he visited this office recently for the purpose of business (I was at that time visiting the other country to which I have been accredited).
He said: "In Mexicali and vicinity American influence is predominant (All officials from the Governor down are puppets of the United States). Although there are many Japanese inhabitants there, since not one of them belongs to the intelligentsia, if intelligence work is to be carried on, it is absolutely necessary that both funds and the personnel be reorganized at the branch."
2. I believe he is right. Although it is difficult to conduct intelligence work, which is liable to be noticeable, in a border city having a population, according to recent figures, of 15,000, I believe the work there would prove useful, provided that the intelligence net in Los Angeles and vicinity is well organized, especially if a situation occurs in which we find it necessary to withdraw our officials now in the United States. Now, if this is so, I believe we should at once establish connection with Los Angeles and make necessary preparations.
[a] See II, 398‑Tokyo asks Mexico to reply as soon as possible regarding the plan to contact and work out a cooperative policy with officials in Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans, and New York in an effort to collect every possible bit of intelligence concerning the United States.
Trans. 7‑7‑41
No. 394
FROM: Mexico City (Miura) June 27, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 232.
http://LOUIS-J-SHEEHAN.INFO
Re my # 229 [a].
1. With regard to the AP dispatch referred to in the above mentioned message, the Foreign Office issued a statement on the 27th, the gist of which was as follows:
The aims of an agreement of this nature between the governments of these two countries are, as outlined in the statement published on 8 June (refer to my message # 204 [b]) to mutually supply each other with materials needed under the present world conditions. The text of the agreement can, undoubtedly, be made public shortly.
2. We have been continuing to work on the matter contained in paragraph 2 of my message # 208 [c]. Since we have been able to establish connections with Maximino Camacho recently, (we shall be able to make a detailed report shortly), we postponed making the demands contained in your message # 134 [d] for the time being. However, in view of the manner in which the above statement was made, we now believe that it would be well to discuss the matter openly with the Foreign Minister. We are at present making arrangements to do so.
[a] Not available.
[b] A negotiation is underway between officials of America and Mexico which proposes to institute an agreement between the two countries to supply each other with needed commodities," etc.
[c] Not available.
[d] Not available. Probably a garbled number.
Trans. 7‑7‑41
A-197
No. 395
FROM: Mexico City (Miura) June 24, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 220.
We have studied the situation here with reference to the matter of Japanese ships fishing in Mexican waters and are agreed that for the time being there is nothing for us to worry about and that we should merely watch coolly the course of events. A Naval message of the 20th will give you the details.
Trans. 6‑30‑41
No. 396
FROM: Mexico City (Miura) July 2, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 238.
Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire
(Part 1 of 3.)
1. On the 2nd, I went to see Foreign Minister PADILLA and stated: "From statements made by the Foreign Office on the 9th, and 27th, of last month, it would appear that the United States and Mexico are considering concluding an agreement concerning the supply of materials necessary for the manufacture of arms. On the 20th and today A.P. reports from Washington that this treaty aims to prevent the shipment of materials anywhere outside the American countries. Would you please tell me the truth about this?" Foreign Minister PADILLA replied: "It is true that we are considering an agreement of this sort, but this is a question concerning only the American powers and has nothing to do with any other countries."
2. Therefore, I stated: "I know that it is quite natural for the several American states to look out for themselves in the matter of necessary materials, but what I would like to know is this; in case you Mexicans have more materials than you need and are able to sell some abroad, will you be prevented from selling them to us Japanese?" The Foreign Minister answered: "As a matter of fact, only today we received from the United States the proposal mentioned in the A.P. wire (See my 239 [a]). The gist of it is that American goods are not to be shipped out of the American states. We are carefully considering the matter at present and have not yet made our minds up."
[a] Not available.
Trans. 7‑8‑41
No. 397
FROM: Mexico City (Miura) July 2, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 238.
(Part 2 of 3.)
At this point I interposed: "Well, you know how friendly our two countries have been for a long time and the fact that not once has anything unpleasant occurred is something rarely seen in the markets of the world. Even today Japan is selling Mexico some of the materials which she most urgently requires and she is, as you know, one of Mexico's best customers. So,
A-198
THE "MAGIC" BACKGROUND OF PEARL HARBOR
if through an agreement like the one you mentioned Japanese‑Mexican relations are marred, I will be blamed and will find it difficult to understand why you treated me so." The Foreign Minister answered: "Well, to tell the truth, our relations with Japan are causing us the most regret. That is precisely why the Mexican government is hesitating, but, considering the fact that Mexico will have to obtain machinery and other goods which she needs, she finds it necessary to sell her own goods to the United States, and that is the whole point of this agreement; consequently, to say that you Japanese could sell us the machinery and so forth instead of the United States is quite beside the point."
4. To this I responded: "Japan is now progressing in the production of heavy industries goods and is in a position to sell surpluses in the line. Let me enumerate for you the list offered by the Chief of the Commercial Section which Minister YAMAGATA brought along." But the Foreign Minister replied: "All these points are being studied by experts in the competent departments." Mr. PADILLA made a gesture as if to end our conversation.
Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire
Trans. 7‑8‑41
No. 398
FROM: Mexico City (Miura) July 2, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 238.
(Part 3 of 3. )
5. However, I continued, "There are finally two things which I would like to say to you. First, the goods which we Japanese purchase are not to be transshipped to Germany; and second, I have every reason to believe that the European war will end sooner than expected." The Foreign Minister expressed confidence in my first statement, but concerning the second he asked: "Well, then, if you are so sure it is going to end so quickly, about when do you think that will be?" I said, "Being located here in Mexico, I am not in a position to know the course of world events, but I can assure you that this is the feeling of the Japanese Government." The Foreign Minister was silent for a minute or two; then said, "There is a lot to what you have come and told me today. When I come to consider the treaty I will give full consideration to it."
That last point seems to have been bothering the Mexicans considerably and what I said about it appears to have moved him greatly.
Sent also to Washington. Will Washington please get in touch with New York on this?
Trans. 7‑8‑41
No. 399
FROM: Tokyo June 28, 1941
TO: Mexico City # 111.
Re my # 93 [a].
1. Please establish communications between the United States and Mexico at once and also report regularly on the progress of our schemes.
2. Please reply as soon as possible on the plan described in the 2nd paragraph of the above message.
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http://LOUIS-J-SHEEHAN.NET
[a] See II, 384.
Trans. 7‑1‑41
A-199
No. 400
FROM: Mexico (Miura) July 4, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 245.
(Part 1 of 4.)
1. It is clear that one of the most urgent requirements of the present time is the establishment of an (international ?) route for the communication of intelligences between the United States and Mexico. In my opinion, this route which is to be established should be used by our embassy, the consular offices, and other semi‑official offices in the United States, as well as in espionage net connections with Mexico City.
2. In the case of war, the method under consideration involves the direct linking of all our espionage agents in the United States directly with this city. The various observations and opinions gathered from our espionage net in the United States should, in my opinion, be carried out here. However, judging from the current examples of German and Italian officials, it is clear that the American Government will not permit too much movement of officials from the United States to Central and South America. Therefore, this very day, please order the reduction of these intelligence agents from official status to civilian status at as early a date as possible. Then they can make representations to the Mexican Government as individuals.
Trans. 9‑16‑41
No. 101
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http://LOUIS-J-SHEEHAN.NET
FROM: Mexico (Miura) July 4, 1941
TO: Tokyo # 245.
