711.94/872: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—5:45 a.m.]
178. Press despatches from Nanking published here allege that in connection with the recognition [of] Soviet Russia the United States has approached China through Minister Johnson with the proposal for the formation of a group or bloc of three friendly powers, the United States, Soviet Russia and China, against Japan. Nichi Nichi adds that
“By the proposed transfer of squadrons from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean the United States has outwardly assumed an attitude as if it is considering its relations with Japan in a friendly manner, but inwardly the United States is stretching its magic hands toward China in dealing with Japan. It is quite apparent that China, with the United States and Soviet Russia on its side, will assume an antagonistic attitude toward Japan”.
In this connection Hirota gave me the impression on Saturday night86 that he was much pleased with the Department’s gesture in giving Debuchi copies of the communications between the President and Litvinov with the comment that the recognition of Soviet Russia by the United States had nothing whatever to do with the Far East.
Nevertheless, the Department may think it well to make some further calming allusions in press conference which would probably be cabled to Japan and published here.87
Copy to Peiping by mail.