123G861/786: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—8:37 a.m.]
405.…
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3. The first reaction here to the notice of termination of the commercial treaty was strong but I did not believe that it would necessarily be lasting. That belief is confirmed by observation during the past 2 weeks. As stated in one of my recent despatches75 the attitude [Page 570] taken by our Government during the past 2 years has operated to give the Japanese the impression that the United States (unlike Great Britain) relied on no one but itself to protect its rights and interests in China and that it might some day move in that direction. And in this sense the Japanese had been prepared for the shock even though anything so drastic as the termination of the treaty was unexpected. Their present thought seems to be to do nothing while watching carefully for further indications of future American attitude. American stock is still higher than any other. The next few months may bring developments of the most critical character and the presence here of Mr. Grew, with the prestige which he commands in Japan as well as in the United States, would be an incalculable service to our national interests.76