894.00/529: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—8:03 a.m.]
147. A Japanese friend in high position has given me the following estimate of new Cabinet.47
- 1.
- The choice of Ministers represents an outstanding victory for the liberal and moderate forces in Japan as opposed to the Chauvinists and Nationalist fanatics. The opponents of military aggressiveness have completely gained the upper hand and have demonstrated their strength “like a clap of thunder”. The country is tired of a warlike psychology.
- 2.
- The new Cabinet will follow the general policy of the Saito48 administration but with a new driving force and initiative which Saito lacked.
- 3.
- If the United States had been able to choose the new Cabinet with American-Japanese relations in view it could not have done better.
- 4.
- Admiral Osumi will not remain long as Navy Minister and will probably be succeeded by either Admiral Nomura or Admiral Kobayashi, not Admiral Suetsugu.
My informant is in close touch with the purpose of leaders, and as he predicted Admiral Okada’s appointment to me several days before the latter’s name had been even mentioned by the press, the diplomats or the public, his opinion is worthy of consideration.
I am not yet prepared to subscribe to the foregoing views in their entirety, but I do believe that the choice of men for the key positions in the new Cabinet indicates a general trend away from aggressive nationalism and consequently may be considered as a victory for the moderates. This is the general opinion in Tokyo.
Repeated to Peiping by mail.