Proof (a)Document 4002, (Exhibit No. 609): (b)"TOP SECRET Aufz* Fue 66/41 gRs "Reception of the Japanese Ambassador, General OSHIMA, by the Fuehrer on 14 December 1941, from 1300 to 1400 o 'clock in the presence of the Reich Foreign Minister* "First the Fuehrer presents Ambassador OSHIMA with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in gold* With cordial words he acknowledges his services in the achievement of German-Japanese cooperation, which has now obtained its culmination in a close brotherhood of arms* "General OSHIMA expresses his thanks for the great honor and emphasizes how glad he is that this brotherhood of arms has now come 'about between Germany and Japan* "The Fuehrer continues: 'You gave the right declaration of wari' This method is the only proper one. Japan pursued it formerly and it corresponds with his own system, that is, to negotiate as long as possible. But if one sees that other is interested only in putting one off, in shaming and humiliating one, and is not willing to come to an agree¬ment, then one should strike - as hard as possible, indeed - and not waste time declaring war. It was heartwarming to him to hear of the first operations of the Japanese. He himself negotiated with infinite patience at times, for example, with Poland and also with Russia. When he then realized, that the other did not want to come to an agreement, he struck suddenly and without formalities* He would continue to go this way in the future.