PEARL HARBOUR INQUIRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 November 1945, Page 5

PEARL HARBOUR INQUIRY

MR CORDELL HULL’S EVIDENCE Washington, Nov., 28.1 Mr Cordell Hull continuing his evi- ! ie..ce at the Pearl Harbour inquiry j said that it was his belief that the Japanese Kurusu and Nomura knew I during the negotiations at V ashington ! that tney were primarily to prevail on ! the United to abandon their doctr:nes and policies and yield entire control of the Pacific west of Hawaii, including China and the trade routes to China and the trade routes to Japan. They were to clear the way for Japan tc go forward or. a plan of conquest without fighting. He did not know whether Nomura and Kurusu knew definitely that Pearl Harbour was to be attacked but intercepted messages showed that they were to continue talking with the United States as though in earnest though they were not, Mr Hull said. He told cabinet on 7th November that an attack at any time anywhere was threatened and he told the War Council on 25th November that Japan was poised for an attack and the safety of the country rested with the Army and Navy. He reiterated this on 28th November stressing the surprise element.