The following is a translation of an encrypted telegram from London regarding Germany’s dissatisfaction with Japan’s position towards the US and apparent disinterest in joining Axis powers. The information was sent to Moscow by an unknown Soviet agent, which cites, verbatim, information provided from Soviet agent “List” (British civil servant John Cairncross).
TOP SECRET
CIPHER TELEGRAM NO. 7185
From LONDON
Received 9 October 1941 at 1745 Decoded 10 October 1941 at 1200
Materials from “List”.
I am transmitting the contents of a telegram from the British ambassador in Tokyo No. 1865, dated 30 September, to the British Foreign Office [Закоулок]:
“Further to my telegram 1685.
“1. I have received additional information on the Germans’ dissatisfaction with Japan’s position regarding the United States. In a conversation with the Japanese, the Germans here are now holding to the following line:
“1. If Japan does not make a decision soon regarding actively aligning with the Axis powers, she will not receive her share of the plunder (Booty) after the German victory.
[Translator Note: The word “Booty” here is provided in English as found in the text of the cited telegraph, presumably included by the Russian translator for sake of clarity.]
“2. Cooperation with the democracies debases Japan to the level of a third-rate power.
“The Germans are clearly hoping that these arguments, which are reinforced by Germany’s successes in Russia and the expected arrival here of the former German Consul General to San Francisco Captain Wiedemann’s mission, will result in a new turn in the Japanese policy in favor of Germany.”
8 October No. 1127
Translation © 2025 by Michael Estes and TranslatingHistory.org
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