The high-handed tone of the Hull Note of November 26, demanding Japan’s withdrawal of all its troops from China, was a final blow to the moderates in Japan’s government, who still hoped for diplomatic negotiations. By this time, many policymakers were convinced that the US was not ready to hear them out.
美国国务卿赫尔11月26日照会日本言辞高傲严厉，要求日本从中国完全撤军。这是对依旧希望外交谈判的日本政府温和派的最后一击。到了此时，许多决策者都相信美国并不打算听取他们意见。日本政府最后以大东亚共荣、抵御洋人傲慢无理的名义联合一致开战。12月1日，日本决定在六天内开战。