793.94/9056: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 29—9:15 a.m.]
232. 1. The Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday made in the Diet the following statement:
“The fact is that before the situation (in North China) arose conversations between Japan and Great Britain with regard to Far Eastern question had made substantial progress. However, even though methods were to be devised for the rendering of assistance to China by Japan and Great Britain, such methods would be entirely inapplicable in the existing circumstances, and due to the deplorable situation which has arisen the conversations have terminated for the time being”.
2. The papers yesterday evening took notice of the calls which Dodds and I made yesterday on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and although the purposes of Dodds’ visit were discussed at some length from a conjectural point of view, the purpose of my visit was merely stated to be to convey the earnest hope that hostilities in North China would be avoided.
3. This morning the Japanese papers closely examine the attitude shown by Great Britain toward the present Sino-Japanese crisis, and certain facts are stressed, as follows: (a) The British Government through Dodds has offered to the Japanese Government its good offices as mediator; (b) Eden stated in the House of Commons that the situation in North China was not a matter for local discussion but one to be settled by negotiations between the Japanese and Chinese Governments; and (c) the House of Commons was informed that the Anglo-Japanese conversations had been suspended. The conclusion is drawn that the British Government is seeking a favorable opportunity to intervene in any military action which may be taken by Japan and that it is building up for this purpose a close association between Great Britain, United States, Soviet Union and France. Several papers charge Great Britain with hostility and bad faith toward Japan.
4. It is to be specially noted that the Foreign Office has waited until now to disclose to the Japanese press the purport of the statement [Page 292] made by Dodds to Horinouchi (see my telegram No. 206, July 16, 7 p.m.13a).
Repeated to Nanking.