Office of the Historian

804.00/786: Telegram

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

Tokyo, April 28, 1938—7 p.m.
[Received April 28—11 a.m.]

282. Our 239, April 11, 6 p.m.

1.
Last week the Prime Minister issued a public statement announcing his intention to assume again his official duties. This statement was generally construed as an announcement that the differences of opinion within the Cabinet have been in some way adjusted.
2.
In view of the recent brief inspection by the Minister of War of conditions in China we attach some significance to indications in the press that the military operations in China will be prosecuted hereafter more vigorously than they have in the past.
3.
The Prime Minister is reported to be of the opinion that there is no urgent need for changes in the personnel in the Cabinet.
4.
Our opinion is that Cabinet differences have been tided over. It is our estimate that the army has made substantial concessions to [Page 163] those who advocate the resort to more vigorous and more intensive military operations. The opinion is now more frequently and widely heard among Japanese that a drive to Hankow is inevitable.

Repeated to Shanghai for Hankow.

Grew