Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East, Volume III

894.002/399: Telegram

The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, September 26, 1939—noon.
[Received September 26—12:50 a.m.]

491. Our No. 490, September 25, 4 p.m.⁹⁴

1. The Japanese press is unanimous in its praise of the appointment of Admiral Nomura as Foreign Minister, and alluding to the Admiral’s past association with, and wide acquaintance in, the United States,⁹⁵ sees in his appointment the determination of the Government to concentrate all its efforts on the problem of readjusting Japanese-American relations at a time when those relations are facing a serious test.

2. Concurrent with the comment on Admiral Nomura’s appointment the press expresses the opinion that widespread changes will take place shortly in Japan’s Missions abroad and regards the replacement of Horinouchi as a foregone conclusion. There has been considerable speculation as to Horinouchi’s successor, but the name which has been most widely mentioned is that of Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, Japan’s delegate to the League of Nations at the time of the Manchurian controversy, and, most recently, president of the South Manchuria Railway Company.

Repeated to Peiping, Peiping please repeat to Chungking, Shanghai.

Dooman

94. Not printed.
95. Admiral Nomura was Japanese Naval Attaché at Washington in 1921.