740.0011 Pacific War/179: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 15—12:40 p.m.]
562. Having in mind the rumors prevailing in Tokyo, which have been reported previously, of an intention on the part of Japan to attack Singapore very soon, a member of the Embassy staff made a point of mentioning these reports to Ohashi25 at a luncheon on April 15. While very vigorously denying these reports, Ohashi said that an official denial would be issued if the question were raised with the Cabinet Information Board by an American correspondent. On the afternoon of April 15, the deputy spokesman for the Cabinet Information Board (Ishii) declared officially that these reports were untrue, in response to an inquiry from an American correspondent. Ishii said, as Prince Konoye had stated recently, the intentions of Japan in regard to the southern area are altogether economic and peaceful. Ishii declared that he could deny flatly and absolutely that Japan has any intention of sending a naval or a military force against or to Singapore and he characterized the reports as the work of warmongers.
- Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩