711.942/403: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

413. Your 699, December 22, 9 p.m., paragraph 6, and 700, December 23, 1 p.m. We consider it very unfortunate that the Japanese Foreign Office is issuing publicity of a character calculated to give rise to unwarranted expectations on the part of the Japanese people. We desire that, unless you perceive substantial objection, you so inform the Foreign Office and that at the same time you definitely intimate, as under instruction, that if the Foreign Office goes beyond the bounds of agreements between the Embassy and the Foreign Office in matters of publicity your Government will of course be obliged to consider the issuing to the press by it of appropriate statements, including, if need be, denials.

Hull