711.94/733: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 16—9:15 a.m.]
259. Debuchi recently came to see me almost directly after a 2–hour conversation with the Emperor and said that he wished to impress upon me the following two points:
- 1.
- That if Chang Hsueh-liang will only keep quiet, there will be no question of Japanese troops taking Peiping and that this all depends upon Chang’s movements.
- 2.
- That the presence of our Atlantic Fleet on the West Coast furnishes an excuse for much of the chauvinistic war talk and military and naval preparations here and that it is therefore hoped in Japan that after the maneuvers of the Atlantic Fleet in the Pacific it will be able to return to the Atlantic next winter.
Debuchi emphasized the fact that this was merely a personal and friendly conversation but I believe he want[s] to get these two points to our attention.
He stated that the domestic political situation was now well in hand and that at the same time our own aim would be to avoid affording the chauvinists excuses for further inciting public opinion against the United States.
Debuchi stated that the Emperor perfectly understands the position of the United States regarding Manchuria and is anxious to stop the anti-American press campaign and the chauvinistic war talk in Japan.
Not sent to Peiping.