711.94/1836
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25.]
Sir: Much water has gone over the falls in the history of American-Japanese relations during the eight years since the beginning of the present mission to Japan on June 6, 1932, and when that history comes to be written, it will show a fluctuating curve in those relations, with periods of marked friendliness interspersed between periods of intense antagonism in the attitude of Japan towards the United States, but with a general worsening tendency. Indeed, in the present era of world power politics and rampant militarism, no other trend could have been expected. Once Japan, as one of the so-called “have not” countries, had determined to achieve by force what she was convinced could not be achieved by orderly processes and peaceful methods, a progressive clashing with American policy, with the rights and legitimate interests of the United States, and with the ideals and international principles for which America stands, was inevitable. Diplomacy might retard but could not stem the tide of aggression. Japan, alas, has become one of the predatory Powers, frankly and unashamedly opportunist, having submerged all sense of international morality, seeking to profit at every turn by the weakness of others. While I earnestly hope that the final chapter of my work in Japan will not have to be characterized, as was Sir Nevile Henderson’s work in Berlin, as the “Failure of a Mission”, nevertheless, as matters stand today, the odds will presumably have been too great ever to qualify it as a mission of constructive success. Its main purpose has been and probably will continue to be to endeavor, while aiming steadily to support and protect American interests in the Far East, to keep the boat of American-Japanese relations from rocking dangerously. The degree to which either of these aims can effectively be achieved is under present conditions limited.
The occasion of this 5000th despatch is respectfully taken to survey the trends of those relations during the past eight years, in the full realization that such a survey is likely to be of more interest to the historians than of any current value to the Department.51 This survey does not purport to be in any respect a complete chronicle. Its aim is rather to bring out the high-lights in the Embassy’s activities and correspondence with Washington during the period under consideration, touching briefly upon such events and developments as have had a direct or indirect influence on American-Japanese relations or have [Page 422] been of outstanding importance in the history of Japan, as well as to furnish future students with full references to pertinent telegrams on any given subject. For more extensive contemporary comment and data, the Embassy’s mail despatches, which are mentioned only in outstanding cases, should also be consulted. Unless otherwise specified, all references in the footnotes are to telegrams from the Embassy to the Department of State.
Respectfully yours,
- Survey not printed.↩