894.002/292
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the Embassy’s translations of Imperial Ordinance No. 63, which appeared in the Official Gazette of May 18, 1936, and No. 64, which appeared in the Official Gazette of May 19, 1936.53 These two ordinances are amendments of the regulations governing the organization of the Army and Navy Departments, respectively, and provide that appointment to the posts of Minister and Vice Minister of the Army and Navy Departments shall be confined to generals and admirals on the active list.
By an ordinance issued in 1913, permission was granted for the appointment of officers in the first and second reserves to the above-mentioned posts. Aversion of the military to the ordinance of 1913, coupled with the fact that no reserve officer was ever appointed either War or Navy Minister under its authorization, appears to have induced the decision to limit formally by Imperial Ordinances, the choice of Army and Navy Ministers to officers on the active list.
Respectfully yours,
- Neither printed.↩