793.94/2249: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 21—3:52 a.m.]
192. Embassy’s 191, October 21, 11 a.m.1 I delivered the note2 this morning in person. The Minister for Foreign affairs read it and [Page 280] said that its tone was sympathetic and he desired once again to express his appreciation [of] the considerate attitude of the United States. He said that conditions in Manchuria seemed to be improving and that he was hopeful about it. He insisted that there was no likelihood of war and that Japan was prepared to negotiate with China at any time.
It is difficult to realize the determination of the Japanese public to have no interference by the parties in Manchuria. No government would dare to admit it unless well camouflaged. Shidehara has been put to great straits to prove to the powers that there was no war and no danger of one and to the Japanese public that their rights were being adequately protected and that there has been no outside interference.