762.94/259: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 12—7:45 a.m.]
661. My British colleague yesterday in his conversation with the Vice Minister referred to a recent press interview in which the Prime Minister had advocated the strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Craigie said he had heard from reliable sources that great pressure is being brought to bear on the Japanese Government to conclude actual alliances with Germany and Italy. If this were done, the move could only be interpreted as hostile to Great Britain and as dividing the world still further into hostile camps. So long as the pact was aimed exclusively against the Comintern, Great Britain could have no good grounds for protests, but formal alliances with the totalitarian states would be quite a different matter. Craigie elaborated on the unfortunate effect which such alliances would exert on the current efforts to ensure peace in Europe.
It was noticeable that Horinouchi made no denial of the report. Craigie believes that the German Ambassador returned from Berlin in the summer with definite instructions to strengthen the Anti-Comintern Pact and that he is bringing steady pressure to bear on the Japanese Government.