894.00/566: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
38. Embassy’s 37, February 26, noon.
- 1.
- Up to this point the Embassy has endeavored merely to keep the Department promptly apprised of current reports emanating from the most reliable contacts available but not susceptible of definite confirmation. In the existing nebulous atmosphere the wildest rumors have naturally been passed around in Tokyo. The following information was received confidentially this afternoon in conversation with a friendly and trustworthy official.
- 2.
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“It appears that the attempted coup d’état was the work of a few companies of the First and Third Regiment of the First Division with headquarters in Tokyo. These soldiers amounting to perhaps 1000 men, led by officers of junior rank, left their barracks in the night with arms and ammunition. Some of the men seized the Prime Minister’s residence, the police headquarters, the Home Office, the War Department, and the office of the General Staff of the Army. The rest armed with machine guns proceeded to the residences of Viscount Saito, Admiral Suzuki, Finance Minister Takahashi, General Watanabe and others and murdered them. Attempts were also made upon Prince Saionji and Count Makino residing in the country but both appeared to have been forewarned and to have escaped although their safety is not yet definitely confirmed. The exact list of the assassinated officials is not available and the Government has banned all news regarding the matter. The uninjured members of the Cabinet and of the War Council are meeting at the Palace in lieu of other [Page 722] available meeting place. Admiral Osumi, Minister of the Navy, is reportedly acting prime Minister. The Government believes itself in command of the situation and apparently no new units have joined the insurgents who are still in possession of the buildings they seized last night. The approaches to these buildings as well as the Palace entrances are guarded by soldiers from loyal units not affiliated with the revolutionary troops. The higher military officers have not taken drastic action against the latter because they do not wish further bloodshed or street fighting.”
- 3.
- This afternoon a meeting was held between the Emperor, Imperial Princes, members of the Cabinet and members of the War Council at which discussions were held regarding the Acting Premier. It is reported by newspaper men (who are not allowed to publish the news) that at the meeting it was proposed that Prince Konoye20 or General Araki21 be appointed as Premier but the insurgents stated that they wanted either Admiral Kanji Kato22 or Baron Hiranuma;23 otherwise they will resume their insurgency. The Embassy has not yet been able to ascertain who has been appointed Acting Premier but official sources have mentioned to the Embassy Osumi and Goto. Negotiations are proceeding between the Army High Command and the insurgents but the latter refuse to surrender the buildings they occupy. Additional loyal Government troops have been brought into Tokyo from nearby towns.
- 4.
- Latest reports indicate that Home Minister Goto and former War Minister Hayashi were not assassinated.
- 5.
- At the present moment there is no indication or prospect of anti-foreign demonstrations in Tokyo. The Embassy’s statement in paragraph 4 of telegram No. 3724 that there appears to be absolutely no anti-foreign feeling involved in the affairs referred primarily to the absence of anti-foreign demonstrations. Obviously a chauvinistic discontent with the so-called liberal policies of the late Government was the basis of the coup d’état involving dissatisfaction with its foreign, no less than its domestic, policies and measures.
- 6.
- The report of General Masaki’s implication in the revolt is not confirmed. The restricted size of the movement so far as we can now see indicated fairly clearly that it was the work of junior officers. The Embassy has been given to understand that there will be no further developments of the situation tonight.