793.94/7128: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 29—1:57 a.m.]
143. From completely reliable source I have received direct word from the Prime Minister that he believes himself fully in control of the situation in China; that he is determined that there shall be no major [Page 284] military operations and that the differences shall be settled through peaceful measures.
My informant stated that the Prime Minister, in the judgment of the thinking men of the empire, is in a stronger position than any Premier in recent years, citing as evidence of Okada’s adroitness and ability the fact that he is the only man who supported the moderates in the dispute over the London Naval Conference who is now in high active office; the others have been eliminated or sidetracked. Okada believes that there will probably be border incidents engineered by overzealous younger officers, but they will not develop into larger issues if he can prevent it. In this policy he is stated to have the support of the court, which is a great moral asset, the more so because it is an influence that requires extreme discretion in practical use.
Repeated to Peiping.