FO371-23517 — Page 118

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NOTHING

ΤΟ

BE

WRITTEN

IN

THIS

MARGIN.

13

extent on the attitude taken by Japan.

So

long as Japan remained neutral, even malevolent-

shall

ly neutral, we should do everything possible to

prevent her from siding actively with the enemy

shall

powers. To that end we should be compelled to

avoid too open a collaboration with the Chinese

Government in their struggle with the Japanese,

and in fact, circumstances might arise in

which we might be forced in the other direction.

If the United States kept aloof from the war,

and our situation in Europe became desperate,

we might indeed have to cut our losses in the

Far East and buy the neutrality of the Japanese

by acquiescing in their Far Eastern policy in

order to save ourselves at home. It is

arises out of

possible that the present enquiry he dare to the

desire of the Chinese Government to forestall,

02-

or at least delay, such a change of attitude on

our part by committing us in advance to an

understanding with themselves.

becomes

7. If, on the other hand, Japan became a

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declared/

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