603.002/401: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 28—12:55 p.m.]
577. Our 576, November 28, 4 p.m.
1. In Craigie’s conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs today, Hirota said that he would instruct the Japanese Consul General in Shanghai to give full consideration to any plan proposed by Hall-Patch and gave assurances that no decision would be taken until the latter’s views had been so considered.
Report by mail Craigie is advising his Government to limit so far as possible publicity regarding our concerted representations here because he fears that such publicity would tend to make the Japanese military authorities in Shanghai more intransigent. He realizes, however, that the present clamor in Parliament may render publicity unavoidable.
Repeated to Shanghai.