760F.62/1239: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, September 28, 1938—9
p.m.
[Received September 28—1 p.m.]
[Received September 28—1 p.m.]
631. Our 609, September 20, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- In conversation today the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs told my British colleague that there had been no change in the attitude of the Japanese Government towards a possible conflict in Europe since their interview on September 19, but acknowledged that the Government was under great and increasing pressure from reactionary elements and especially from the various patriotic societies, now being consolidated and incited under the leadership of Toyama, to join Germany and Italy actively in war, should war occur. The Vice Minister said that the principal basis for this movement was the strong anti-British feeling in Japan engendered by the supposition that Great Britain’s support of Chiang Kai Shek is largely responsible for the latter’s continued resistance to Japanese arms. The Vice Minister acknowledged that this supposition was a misconception of the facts but said that the theory generally existed none the less.
- 2.
- Craigie and Horinouchi were in agreement that some substantial gesture indicative of Anglo-Japanese friendship might serve to improve the atmosphere although it does not appear that any concrete proposals were discussed or advanced.
- 3.
- The proposal of the Foreign Minister, reported in our 633, September 28, midnight,16 might however be regarded as pertinent.
- 4.
- Craigie considers that the publicity to be given by the Foreign Office expressing the full agreement of the Japanese Government with the action taken by the President in the controversy between Germany and Czechoslovakia (see our 630, September 28, 6 p.m.) will be very helpful as placing the Japanese Government’s attitude squarely on record. The Vice Minister, in referring to my démarche to the Minister this afternoon, told Craigie that the reason for the hesitancy of the Japanese Government to accede to our Government’s proposal that it take action similar to that of the President was the feeling that being engaged in hostilities itself, it might be embarrassing for Japan to issue such an appeal to other nations.
Grew