Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume IV

894.00/684: Telegram

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

Tokyo, January 29, 1937—5 p.m.
[Received January 29—9:15 a.m.]

33. Embassy’s 30, January 27, 6 p.m.

1. Ugaki this noon reported to the Throne his inability to form a Cabinet. Speculation in regard to the next person to be commanded to form a Cabinet now places Baron Hiranuma⁷ (who is believed to have fascist leanings) in the lead and Admiral Osumi⁸ next.

2. Before proceeding to the Palace this noon Ugaki released to the press his note of resignation from the position of General on the retired list. This was supplemented by note from his principal lieutenant, General Hayashi, retired. Both notes severely criticised army interference in politics. A press ban was placed on the notes before they were published in Japan but the Embassy is informed that Fleisher⁹ succeeded in telephoning the complete texts to the Herald Tribune.

Repeated to Nanking.

Grew

7. President of the Japanese Privy Council.
8. Formerly Japanese Navy Minister.
9. Wilfred Fleisher, Tokyo correspondent of the New York Herald Tribune.