Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1933, The Far East, Volume III

811.3394/183: Telegram

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

Tokyo, May 5, 1933—7 p.m.
[Received May 5—11:45 a.m.]

91. Department’s 45, May 3, 6 p.m.

1. I believe that a visit to Japan by the Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet on flag ship would be favorably received here. The Naval Attaché concurs and states that high Japanese naval officers within the past year have inquired when such a visit would be paid. While we may expect that some of the more blatant newspapers would publish cynical comment I feel that this factor can be discounted and that the net result of a visit would probably be favorable.

2. Unless the visit is planned to take place before July, I recommend that it be postponed until October or later. Many of the prominent Japanese leave Tokyo for the summer. The Emperor generally leaves in June and grants no audiences during the summer months.

3. The Naval Attaché has received instructions from the Navy Department to confer with Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet on other matters and expects to see him in Shanghai on May 9th. He will confidentially discuss with Admiral Taylor the question of a possible visit to Japan.

Grew