228	CHINA INCIDENT
visions will make for peace and general prosperity, whereas contrary
courses would inevitably make for friction and consequences in-
urious to all countries, including those which pursue such courses. The
American Government and people believe with conviction that those
principles and provisions are in the interests of all concerned.
My Government is anxious to take steps to arrest the present trend
towards international anarchy and to contribute towards an improve-
ment of international relations and restoration of international
order. The adjustment of problems in international relations by
peaceful negotiation and agreement and the faithful observance of
international agreements are advocated by my Government.
My Government has pursued a trade policy whose object is to
induce the removal and reduction of restrictions upon the exchange of
goods in international trade in the belief that living standards would
be raised and enriched and more harmonious relations promoted
among nations as a result of a normal expansion of foreign commerce.
The principle of equality of commercial opportunity has always
been the belief and guiding principle of the people and the Govern-
ment of the United States, and American opinion believes it to be
incompatible with the establishment and maintenance of American
and world prosperity that any country should endeavour to establish
a preferred position for itself in another country.
My Government also feels that no one Government can properly
expect throughout an extensive and important area of the world to
make its wishes and its will conclusive and exclusive, and that what-
ever may be the motives, the attempt on the part of any Government
to do that will inevitably result in injuries to its own country and
itself and to other countries.
In my last talk with Your Excellency I asked for an interpretation
of Prince Konoye's observation on November 3, that Japan will
co-operate with foreign nations so long as they understand the true
intention of Japan and adopt policies suitable for the new conditions.
I would be very glad to learn how this proposed co-operation is
expected to work out in actual practice. For instance, Americans
have constantly been told in recent months by Japanese nationals in
China that American trade with China will be tolerated only if
American interests deal through Japanese middlemen. Do you
envisage such " co-operation " in that light ? This practice is pro-
gressively being put into effect in China to-day.
Your Excellency has asked for patience on the part of the American
Government, but it is obviously my duty to point out that whatever
the attitude of the American Government the patience of the American
people is not inexhaustible, and my Government is obliged to listen
to public opinion in the United States.
There can be no doubt that owing to Japan's actions and policies
in China there is good reason why both you and I should be disturbed
with regard to the developing situation in Japanese-American relations,
For my part I am more disturbed at present than I have been for a