893.041/166
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
I am driven to the conclusion that much of what is being done by “the Japanese authorities” in China61 is being done at the instance of and by order of the Army and the Navy without any particular reference to or instruction or authorization of the “home government” in Tokyo; in other words, that there are for practical purposes now two Japanese Governments, one in Japan and the other in China, the one in Japan being parent to and ally and associate of the one in China but being possessed of much less than absolute authority over and control of its offspring. This situation makes matters increasingly difficult for all concerned—except the headstrong Japanese offspring, their naval and military authorities in China. It also increases the chances of foreign powers (both governments and peoples) being fooled by assurances given by the Japanese Government in Japan.
- See telegram No. 588, December 9, noon, from the Ambassador in China, supra.↩