The theme of "innocence violated" was further reinforced by Roosevelt's recounting of the ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Japan, which the president characterized as having been pursued cynically and dishonestly by the Japanese government while it was secretly preparing for war against the United States.
Temaet om "såret uskyld" blev yderligere forstærket ved Roosevelts gengivelse af de igangværende diplomatiske forhandlinger med Japan, som den præsidenten sagde havde været ført kynisk og uærligt af den japanske regering mens den i hemmelighed forberedte krig mod USA.