894.00/695: Telegram

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

57. Embassy’s 49, February 8, 7 p.m.30

1.
General Hayashi’s31 speech before the House of Peers this morning was placatory in tone indicating the Cabinet’s wish to cooperate with and not to dissolve the Diet. He reiterated his policies without further elucidation and very briefly discussed the revised and reduced budget and the necessity for the proposed increase of taxes.
2.
In the part of his speech devoted to foreign policies he stressed the necessity for China’s understanding of Japan’s attitude toward that country and urged the development of “mutual appreciation” and “closer contacts” between the two governments and peoples as well as “concrete cooperation” and “mutual assistance” indicating a trend toward a more friendly and less aggressive attitude toward China. The tone of the reference to the Soviet Union was firm, urging the Soviets to “take a broad view and cooperate with us” in the settlements of pending questions. Following the reference to Soviet-Japanese relations moreover he strongly affirmed the timeliness and necessity of the German-Japanese Anti-Comintern Agreement. In regard to relations with the United States, he said “Japan’s policy of promoting friendship with Great Britain and the United States is immutable. Between the former country and ours there exist questions of various sorts requiring adjustment”. He said nothing of questions pending between the United States and Japan. Amau32 intimated to me on the 11th that this omission would be made intentionally as Hayashi [Page 26] wished to convey the impression that relations with the United States are satisfactory.

Repeated [Peiping?] by mail to Nanking.

Grew
  1. Not printed.
  2. Gen. Senjuro Hayashi, Japanese Prime Minister since February 2, and concurrently Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  3. Eiji Amau, Director of the Information Bureau, Japanese Foreign Office.