Office of the Historian

794.00/111: Telegram

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

Tokyo, March 13, 1937—2 p.m.
[Received March 13—9:47 a.m.]

90. Embassy’s 86, March 12, 7 p.m.

1.
In view of the widespread criticism that Sato’s views do not coincide with those of the Premier, it was reportedly decided at a conference yesterday between the Premier and Foreign, War and Navy Ministers that Sato should qualify the statement of policy which he made in the Lower House of the Diet on the 11th. Accordingly yesterday at a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Peers Sato explained (a) that by saying that the Japanese nation can avert a crisis at any time if so minded he meant that Japan should avoid a positive challenge to another power, not that Japan should tolerate any provocation; (b) that in advocating a policy of conciliation and patience toward China he did not mean that Japan should be submissive if China trampled upon international justice or damaged the prestige of Japan; (c) that in stating that economic blocs in the Far East were premature he did not mean to deny the “inseparable relations” between Japan and Manchukuo; and (d) that by asking why Japan did not walk the open path straightforwardly he did not mean to criticize past actions of Japan.
2.
Later both the Premier and the War Minister stated at Diet committee meetings that there is no material discrepancy between their views and those of Sato.
3.
The general opinion among political observers is that Sato has talked too much without sufficient knowledge of domestic political conditions and trends; that his phraseology was poorly selected; and that he was not fully or well advised by his subordinates in the Foreign Office. The Nichi Nichi this morning reports that this last circumstance may lead to extensive changes in the personnel of the Foreign Office, probably including the transfer to the field of the Vice Minister.
4.
Two of the minority groups in the Lower House are taking the lead in opposing Sato’s policies and the newspapers this morning report that one of the groups will introduce a motion of non-confidence in the Minister for Foreign Affairs if sufficient support seems to be forthcoming.

Repeated by mail to Peiping.

Grew