711.94/736: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

261. According to the vernacular newspaper Premier Saito on the 22nd stated in a public interview that he believes that the alleged anti-Japanese sentiment in the United States is due largely to the anti-American articles published in the Japanese press, some of which seem to be deliberately intended to irritate the United States. He advised the Japanese newspapers to consider this point carefully.

I believe that Saito’s pronouncement may do much to diminish the anti-American propaganda in Japan. His statement is in line with efforts which are evidently being made in various quarters to offset the policy of the military people to keep the public in a constant state of irritation against the United States.

Repeated to Peiping by mail.

Grew