393.115 Chase National Bank/11: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—8:20 a.m.]
692. Department’s 367, October 27, 6 p.m., concerning attack on Standard Oil vessel; 368, October 27, 7 p.m. concerning bullion shipment by President Coolidge; 278, October 27, 6 p.m. to Shanghai [Chungking] presumably referring to Nyhus case were received last night. I feel that in order to achieve maximum effect these matters should be taken up with the Foreign Minister himself. I propose to seek an appointment with Prince Konoye at the earliest possible moment to make vigorous representations concerning attack on Standard Oil vessel and bombing of Lutheran Mission, Tungpeh, involving loss of American life as soon as I am informed by Shanghai that attacking planes were Japanese, and I shall at the same time make the desired statement in connection with the bullion case.
It is my opinion that these representations will have effect only if made directly to Prince Konoye. It is not always possible to see him immediately. Nevertheless, any brief delay is more than justified by insuring direct knowledge of these matters by the Prime Minister. There is of course no certainty that representations made to the Vice Minister will be brought to the attention of Prince Konoye who alone is in a position to bring pressure to bear on the military and naval authorities in China. To insure that he will be in position to have some knowledge of these cases when I call on him, these cases were taken up informally with the Foreign Office today and request made for an appointment for me to call on Konoye on Monday.