762.94/324: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 26—11:30 a.m.]
203. Our telegram No. 188, April 20, 3 p.m. Following from Osaka:25
“April 26, 5 p.m. At a casual meeting today with Mr. Kensato, Chief of the International Affairs Section of the Osaka Mainichi, he told me in confidence ‘although strong pressure has been brought to bear the Japanese five Minister[s] at yesterday’s extraordinary meeting in Tokyo decided that Japan would not join the Rome–Berlin Axis and would remain neutral in the event of war involving those Governments; that the Navy is particularly opposed to any military commitments to the Rome–Berlin Axis nations and that the Emperor considers it highly desirable to improve relations with America and Britain.
President Roosevelt’s action in ordering the immediate return of the American Navy to the Pacific Coast is resented, many Japanese considering this as evidence that American Embassy has not kept Washington adequately informed of Japanese trends and that as a result Japan might be forced into a course of action that is an alliance displeasing to many liberals.’ Makinson.”
- From George A. Makinson, Consul General at Osaka.↩