894.00/582: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28—1:25 p.m.]
73. Litvinov has just informed me that he has received today the following reports from the Soviet Ambassador in Tokyo:
Prince Saionji advised the Emperor to have no negotiations with the mutineers but to treat them with the utmost severity.
[Page 729]The troops loyal to the Government are in complete control of Tokyo.
There is no chance whatever that Masaki will become Prime Minister.
It is now believed in Tokyo that Prince Konoye, President of the House of Peers, will become Prime Minister.
Litvinov said that from the point of view of the Soviet Union the whole situation looked brighter than yesterday as it now seemed unlikely that an extreme militarist could become Prime Minister.
Dr. Yen, Chinese Ambassador, expressed the opinion to me that increased pressure on China was not to be expected for several weeks.