Telegram to the German ambassador in Tokyo (Gen. Ott), to encourage Japanese military action against the USSR, with the result being the collapse of England and the isolation of the United States

TELEGRAM '
' (Code)
Special Train Westfalen No. 707, 10 July 1941, 2:51 P.M. Arrival: 10 July 1941, 4:00 P.M.
1. Code Office AA No. 634
2. Diplogerm Tokio
Telegram in code (Secret code system)
To: Ambassador personally.
(Page ^4953)
4. Please take this opportunity to thank the Japanese Ambassador in Moscow for conveying the cable report. It would be convenient if we could keep on receiving news from Russia this way. In summing up, I would like to say: I have now, as in the past, full confidence in the Japanese Policy, and in the Japanese foreign minister, first of all because the present Japanese government would really act inexcusable toward the future of its nation, if it would not take this unique opportunity to solve the Russian problem, as well as to secure for all times its expansion to the South and settle the Chinese matter. Since Russia, as reported by the Japanese Ambassador in Moscow, is in effect close to collapse, a report which coincides with our own observations as far as we are able to judge at the present war situation, it is simply impossible that Japan does not solve the matter of Vladivostok and the Siberian area as soon as her military preparations are completed.
It is, of course, also in our interest that Japan wants to secure for herself further possessions in the South, Indo-China, etc., just as every measure of Japan direct toward expansion is principally welcomed by us. I shall give you detailed instructions, within the near future, relative to the consequences which might, and no doubt will, result from the occupation of Iceland by American military forces, and the attitude which we will take toward Japan in this connection. As directive for talks we can advise you already today that the sending of American military forces to the support of England into a territory which has been officially
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announced by us as combat area, shows not only Roosevelt's aggressive intentions, but the fact of the intrusion of American military forces into the combat area to the support of England is in -itself an aggression against Germany and Europe. After all, one cannot enter a theater of war in which two armies are fighting, and join the army of one side without the intention of shooting and without actually doing so. I do not doubt for a moment that in case of the outbreak of hostilities between Germany and America, in which case today already it may be considered as an absolutely established fact that only America will be the aggressor, Japan will fulfill her obligations, as agreed upon in the Three Power Pact. However, I ask you to employ all available means in further insisting upon Japan's entry into the war against Russia at the soonest possible date, as I have mentioned already in my note to Matsuoka. The sooner this entry is effected, the better it is. The natural objective still remains that we and Japan join hands on the Trans Siberian railroad, before winter starts. After the collapse of Russia, however, the position of the Three Power Pact states in the world will be so gigantic, that the question of England's collapse or the total destruction of the English islands, respectively, will only be a matter of time. An America totally isolated from the rest of the world would then be faced with our taking possession of the remaining positions of the British Empire which are important for the Three Power Pact countries. I have the unshakable conviction that a carrying through of the new order as desired by us will be a matter of course, and there would be no insurmountable difficulties if the countries of the Three Power Pact stand close together and encounter every action of the Americans with the same weapons. I ask you to report in the near future as often as possible and in detail on the political situation there.
RIBBENTROP
NOTE: Transmitted to Embassy in Tokio under No. 1018 Telegram control, 10 July 1941.
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