793.94/2758: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Forbes)
235. Dawes in Paris has been confidentially informed by Matsudaira of a very dangerous condition in Japan so far as existing authority goes. It is intimated by him that this concerns the direct control by those heading a plot against the Japanese Government over the command at the front, and, as a result, one of the most critical internal conditions in Japanese history has been brought about. In other words, it is feared by Matsudaira that for the moment at least the power to determine policy is beyond the Government’s control.
You should not indicate the source of this information in any way, but I trust you can check it and send me very promptly your estimate of the current situation.
Recently there was a newspaper report concerning a plot to kill Baron Shidehara and others. There has been no confirmation of this. You will please keep the Department quickly informed regarding all such matters.