Office of the Historian

894.00/583: Telegram

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

Tokyo, February 28, 1936—midnight.
[Received February 28—3:15 p.m.]

46. Embassy’s 45, February 28, 6 p.m.

1.
A friendly Japanese in high position has informed me that an ultimatum “from the highest source” was delivered the insurgents at 3 o’clock this afternoon ordering them to disband and return to barracks and that the insurgents have chosen to disregard the order. Our informant states that in these circumstances the Government has decided to proceed with military measures early tomorrow morning probably at daybreak and that in view of the determination of the insurgents this may mean fighting until the last man has been wiped out.
2.
It is reported that the insurgents demand that General Masaki shall be named Prime Minister; that a portion of the revenues of the big financial interests such as Mitsui and Mitsubishi shall be given to the Government; and that Colonel Aizawa (the murderer of Nagata) shall be freed. They indicate that having drawn the sword for these principles they must carry through to the end.
3.
Subsequent to my receipt of the foregoing communication, three radio announcements were made this evening to the effect that the Tokyo Garrison would take “a certain step” against the three or four hundred insurgent troops now stationed in Kojimachi. These official announcements would seem to corroborate the report of my informant.
4.
The Embassy’s observers find that the disposition of the Government troops in this vicinity and near the British Embassy this evening are precisely the same as when the General Staff officer this [Page 731] morning predicted that fighting might take place as set forth in paragraph 2 of my 44, February 28, noon.
5.
All of the foregoing information indicates that unless a last hour surrender occurs or unless the insurgent officers adopt the classic way out by suicide there will be fighting in Tokyo early tomorrow morning. It is believed that the number of insurgent troops are at present considerably greater than the number mentioned in the radio announcements.

Repeated to Peiping.

Grew