793.94/6199: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 22—5:25 a.m.]
85. As reported in my No. 67, March 25, 2 p.m., the Japanese Minister to China has been in Tokyo for the purpose of conferring with the Government regarding the future policy toward China. Certain newspapers now publish what is alleged to be the gist of the decisions, including the statement that while Japan will observe neutrality in the ordinary civil strife in China, the Japanese Government is prepared to consider favorably any force local or central which may sincerely strive for the peace of the Far East and for friendship with Japan, and will give due regard to the safety of the territory of such force and will protect its trade with Japan. This apparently means that the Japanese Government is now prepared openly to support local leaders who are friendly to Japan and willing to restrain the anti-Japanese boycott. This may also possibly be considered to mean that Japan is prepared to lend countenance to the separatists’ movement in North China reported Peiping’s No. 345, April 20, 2 p.m.2
Repeated to Peiping.
- Not printed.↩