Office of the Historian

894.00/586: Telegram

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

Tokyo, February 29, 1936—11 a.m.
[Received February 29—4:20 a.m.]

47. Embassy’s 46, February 28, midnight; Department’s 27, February 28, noon.

1.
The staff and I sincerely appreciate your message. Members of the staff and their families living in the danger zone are staying with us in the residence which is still heavily guarded with troops, outposts and sandbag barricades below the Chancery, also three detectives and two soldiers within. I believe that the only danger is from flying bullets and that in case of necessity the basement of the residence and Chancery will afford the best possible protection.
2.
According to a radio announcement this morning, about 300 of the insurgent troops from the vicinity of the Sanno Hotel have surrendered and returned to their barracks. At 5 a.m. this morning an appeal to the remaining insurgents was broadcasted, ordering them to obey the Emperor’s command that they return to the barracks, asking them to reconsider their position and stating that they would be considered as revolutionists if they refused to obey. Leaflets to the same effect and stating that all revolutionists would be killed are being dropped over the insurgents positions from airplanes. It is significant that these leaflets are addressed only to insurgent soldiers and not to the insurgent officers. At 10 o’clock this morning a radio announcement stated that 30 of the insurgents with machine guns from near the General Staff office surrendered to the loyal troops, and that the Government expected the remaining troops to surrender. All traffic has been stopped in the martial law area and as far as Yokohama. Barricades have been thrown across all streets in the vicinity of the insurgents positions and the residents have been evacuated from the danger zone. The people have been warned by radio to keep out of the lines of fire and to avoid stray bullets by sitting on the floor. Telegraphic and telephonic communications abroad have been stopped, except for Government messages. No newspapers are being published.
3.
All the naval vessels in or near Tokyo except one light cruiser and three destroyers have left for Yokohama indicating that the loyal troops are considered sufficient to quell the disturbance.
4.
The atmosphere throughout the night and early this morning was tense and every indication existed that combat was imminent. During the course of the morning, however, a relaxation of this tense atmosphere was noticeable probably due to the radio announcement and leaflets. It is evident that the Government is using patience and making every possible effort to persuade the insurgents to disband without resorting to armed attack.

Repeated to Peiping.

Grew