Office of the Historian

894.00/740: Telegram

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

Tokyo, June 1, 1937—10 p.m.
[Received June 1—12:45 p.m.]

144. Embassy’s number 143, June 1, 7 p.m.,21 confirmed. Prince Konoe has undertaken the formation of a Cabinet and is generally expected to be successful.

Taking into account available information and in view of the fact that the military-controlled Hayashi Cabinet resigned with the evident purpose of forestalling an unruly Diet, it appears likely that Konoe will attempt to form a Cabinet in which the War, Navy and Finance Ministers will remain in office and the Minsedoto [Minseito] and Seiyukai will be represented.

I am informed that Konoe is trying to persuade Hirota, his personal friend and political adviser, to become Foreign Minister. If the latter feels that the present is too soon to reenter politics it is generally expected that Sato, who was selected by Hayashi on Hirota’s recommendation, will remain or that Konoe himself will take the position.

Grew
  1. Not printed.↩