(6) On 5 December 1941 the German Ambassador to Japan informed RIBBENTROP of a deceptive and false reply which the Japanese Ambassadors to the United States had been directed to give Secretary of State HULL relating to military preparations in Indo-China. The Ambassador further reported that deliberations were under way in the Japanese Foreign Ministry as to the manner of opening the conflict, that is, whether to declare the existence of a state of war or to declare war on America simultaneously or after the beginning of hostilities. Proof (a)Document 1374, (Exhibit No. 608): "TELEGRAM "(Secret Cipher Process) TO BE KEPT IN LOCKED FILE "Tokio, 5 December 1941, 0100 hours Arrived, 6 December 1941, 1255 hours No. 2657 of 5 December 1941MOST URGENT I For the Reich Foreign Minister "In strict confidence I was informed from a Foreign Ministry source that the Japanese reply to the American note of November 26 has not been sent yet. The reply is expected to be composed, but firm. It will declare that American principles are not applicable to the Far East. It is expected that then the United States will break off the negotiations. Upon an oral inquiry by Secretary of State HULL to the two Japanese Ambassadors as to the aim of the Japanese preparations in Indo-China, they have been instructed to reply that the Japanese Government is making preparations which have become necessary in view of Chinese massing of troops in Yunnan. The preparations are, furthermore, being