894.00/588: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 29—9:30 a.m.]
51. I am informed by Baron Hayashi, former Grand Master of Ceremonies, who has just returned from the Palace, that Prime Minister Okada is alive and uninjured. It appears that his brother-in-law who somewhat resembles him was killed by mistake and that the Premier escaped and has been under cover since the night of February 25th. It is said that he suddenly announced himself to the Emperor whereupon Acting Prime Minister Goto resigned the Premiership which was resumed by Okada. The Emperor is officially reported to have expressed great pleasure at Okada’s reappearance.
The implications of this dramatic turn of events are too obvious to need comment. Our first reaction to the circumstances of the past 4 days is that they may well cause a revulsion of feeling against the military throughout the country and that the final results may be salutary.
We learn that from 15 to 20 officers not higher than the rank of captain were involved in the insurgency. Their fate is unknown but it is generally thought from the tone of the announcement that they may have been allowed to commit suicide.
Repeated to Peiping.