Page 125

Parent Collaboration Between Japan, Germany and Italy Volume III
Date 23 February 1940
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 15
Folder Japan, Germany, Italy Collaboration Vol 3
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
"A. Of course, I wondered why in answer to a simple telegram they would send three men, but the official reason given was that it was a security measure. Your questioning me upon this point is quite natural, as it does seem strange, but I can only say that I know nothing beyond these rumors that I just related. MQ. General, it is a fact, is it not, that the views of Mr. SHIRATORI and the views of yourself with respect to this proposed pact at this stage of the negotiations were somewhat different from the views of your Government in Japan? MA. No, I would not say that our views were different from the Government; rather it would appear that the Government's ideas changed about the time they sent the ITO Commission. MQ. That is my point, General, the Government in Tokyo had changed somewhat in its views, but you two gentlemen, one in Italy and one in Berlin, there where you were in communication with those Governments con¬stantly, your views did not change automatically with the change in Tokyo; as a matter of fact you did not even know about it until ITO arrived, did you? "A. We knew of the fact that they wished Russia to be the prime object and all other countries secondary, but we did not know of the point being brought up that other countries would only be included if their Governments became Communistic, until the ITO Com¬mission arrived.