711.61/445
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 18.]
Sir: In my telegram No. 166 October 23 noon [1 p.m.],99 and my despatch No. 572 of November 2, 1933,1 it was indicated that the Foreign Office apprehended that a Soviet-American rapprochement might so alter the attitude of Soviet Russia or China towards Japan that renewed outbursts of propaganda might enable the military to undo the success which had attended the efforts of the Foreign Minister to divorce the subject of foreign relations from the discussions of the army and navy budgets. With American recognition of the Soviet Union accomplished it may now be reported that these fears have not as yet been realized. As stated in the headlines of the Japan Advertiser on November 19, the announcement of recognition found Japan “calm but apprehensive”.
Official comments were non-committal. The Foreign Office spokesman did not anticipate a change in America’s attitude toward Japan although he was quoted as stating that a stiffening of Soviet Russia’s policy was anticipated. The War Office spokesman remarked that recognition did not evidently include a non-aggression pact and that it therefore was to be regarded as a resumption of commercial connections only. The Navy Office recalled Roy Howard’s statement that America should recognize Soviet Russia, not only for the purpose of resuming trade relations but also for the peace of the Far East and that therefore “the future movements of the two countries should be carefully watched”.
[Here follows report on Japanese press comment.]
In conclusion it may be said that while the immediate reception of the United States recognition of Soviet Russia was reasonable and in accordance with advance indications, there is notwithstanding a perceptible undertone of uneasiness. This feeling has recently been given expression by the Hokkai Times of Sapporo which, in the course of an editorial commenting favorably on the recent exchange [Page 476] of informal dinners between the Foreign Minister and myself, remarks:
“Then came the establishment of Soviet-American relations and rumors were heard that the United States and the Soviet Union had reached an understanding against Japan. To these developments can be attributed the present unfavorable state of Japanese-American relations”.
Nevertheless, with regard to Japan’s feeling of uncertainty it is encouraging to note that:
- (1)
- It has not found expression in an unrestrained form,
- (2)
- It has not resulted in a resumption of the anti-American campaign of a year ago,
- (3)
- It has not stimulated a revival of the waning propaganda concerning a “national crisis” predicted for 1935 by the War and Navy Office,
- (4)
- The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been publicized by Nippon Dempo as indicating that American recognition of the Soviet Government will not alter his plans to create amity between America and Japan.
I personalty have little doubt that the recognition by the United States of Soviet Russia and the announced plans for building up the American fleet will in the long run tend to exert a favorable influence on the Far Eastern political situation in general and on Japanese-American relations in particular, for whatever the basic incentives and intentions which led to these steps, they are concrete facts spoken in a language which Japan can understand, and no amount of bluster, whether publicly or privately expressed, can do away with the profound moral effect which they have exerted and will continue to exert on Japan’s conscious or subconscious outlook.
Respectfully yours,
- Vol. ii, p. 797.↩
- Not printed.↩