793.94/9105: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—8:13 a.m.]
239. 1. Yesterday afternoon following conference with the Foreign, War, Navy, Finance and Home Ministers, the Premier was in audience with the Emperor for an hour beginning at 4:30. Newspapers interest was aroused and the Cabinet issued a release. The Premier had reported to the Throne on the situation.
2. This morning one newspaper, the Yomiuri pictures yesterday’s conference and audience as having authorized a decision of the greatest importance, a “second step” in Japan’s program in China.
3. Activities apparently aimed at the further increase of Japanese troops in North China are everywhere evident here. The Japanese determination to use decisive force against any Chinese military advance into the North China zone of activities would appear increasingly firm; but there is no evidence that any important new decision was reached by the Cabinet yesterday unless in the form of approval of further troop movements to North China.
4. In response to a question, Foreign Minister Hirota yesterday told the House of Representatives Finance Committee that the United States has been taking an independent attitude since the outbreak of the North China incident and that there has been no joint approach to the Japanese Government by the powers. On preceding day, replying to a question about the Soviet Union, he stated that neither the Soviet Union nor any American or European power has transgressed the limits of neutrality. Yesterday evening Premier Konoe told newspapermen that there is no anxiety with regard to relations with the powers.
5. In conversation with a member of my staff today an official of the Foreign Office expressed Japanese gratitude for the great kindness [Page 310] of the American Consul General in Tientsin in recently saving the lives of six Japanese civilians who had fallen into Chinese hands.
Repeated to Nanking; final paragraph to Tientsin.