811.3362i/11: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, June 20, 1936—11
a.m.
[Received June 20—6:50 a.m.]
[Received June 20—6:50 a.m.]
130. Department’s 79, June 18, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The Department has made perfectly clear the purposes of its suggestion as well as the method of approach desired.
- 2.
- While still believing that the chances of a favorable response from the Japanese tending to alleviate situation and improve relations are small, I do concur in the desirability of the step on the basis of all the considerations now clearly set forth.
- 3.
- The risk of premature publicity can be reduced but not necessarily eliminated by my seeing the Minister at his residence instead of at the Foreign Office.
- 4.
- It would be helpful to learn just how urgent the matter is regarded so that I may determine whether to seek some ostensible reason for seeing Arita immediately or whether a natural and therefore more favorable occasion for broaching the subject may be awaited. In Japan an Ambassador’s visit to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is regarded as a matter of prime importance and periodical calls merely for the purpose of discussing the general situation are seldom understood. The tendency is to look for “the nigger in the woodpile.” I see no reason for minimizing the importance of the subject under reference but shall nevertheless be glad to know whether the delay if any [Page 988] should be a matter of days only or whether it may be a matter of weeks.
- 5.
- Obviously I can and shall advance a very strong and logical argument in making the suggestion as on my own initiative.
Grew