702.94/342: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, May 10,
1939—11 a.m.
[Received May 10—2:36 a.m.]
[Received May 10—2:36 a.m.]
216. Our 215, May 5, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, who dined at the Embassy last night, stated to me definitely and categorically that Japan would not enter into a general alliance with Germany and Italy. This, however, was said in casual conversation and should not be taken as an official commitment.
- 2.
- A thoroughly reliable Japanese informant advised us yesterday to “stand by” for a Cabinet crisis. He stated that yesterday’s conference of the inner Cabinet was a stormy affair and that Arita became so angry that he left the meeting.
- 3.
- From other sources we gather that the ultra nationalistic elements referred to in our 205, April 27, 5 p.m., paragraph number 2, are bitterly disappointed over the decision not to conclude the proposed alliance and are wholly dissatisfied with the sop which is to be thrown to them (as well as to Germany and Italy) in the form of “strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact”; that the position of the Prime Minister is rapidly becoming untenable; and that Marquis Kido34 is being talked of as his successor.
Grew
- Japanese Minister of Home Affairs.↩