711.94/729: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5—5:55 p.m.]
401. In the conversation which Davis and I had with McCoy today we were impressed by his analysis of the situation especially insofar as it applies to relations between the Japanese and ourselves.
McCoy analyzed the present political condition in Japan; the type of officers who are in control; their fanatical state of mind, et cetera, with which you are familiar. He proceeded to state that his deep apprehension lay in the possibility of some incident occurring in the Far East which would inflame this fanatical sentiment against the United States and have serious repercussions in our own press and perhaps bringing about a situation which could not be controlled. He said that he felt that it was good luck only that had prevented the occurrence of such an incident up to the present time. He added that this risk was even greater from the fact that the principal hostility of this group in particular and the Japanese in general is directed against the United States. They are persuaded that our policy is based on a desire to check the normal development of Japan and its normal national evolution. They apparently believe that American policy and your own utterances are based on dislike of Japan, desire to check its growth, the failure to understand their difficulties. The presence of our fleet in Pacific waters is the cause to the Japanese of the gravest apprehension as well as a contributing factor to this irritation and they point out the inconsistency of its threatening presence with the championship of the peace cause which we have adopted.
McCoy had no suggestion to make as to how this state of affairs might perhaps be remedied nor have we, but we think it wise to lay his impressions before you as an opportunity may come at some time to disabuse the Japanese of the idea that it is hostility to them rather than respect for treaties and for the maintenance of the peace machinery which is actuating our policy.