711.94/2187: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—9:05 a.m.]
1290. The Director of the American Bureau, by direction of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has invited our attention to a considerable number of press despatches from the United States reporting discussions in the American press of actual and contemplated actions by the United States and Great Britain which are calculated to make effective the so-called “encirclement” of Japan. The director said that although the Foreign Office is aware that the American Government is not in a position to control the American press it would be helpful if something could be done to moderate the alarming character of such press discussions, which when reported in Japan tend to strengthen the hands of those whose views on Japanese policy do not accord with those of the Japanese Government. The Foreign Minister also mentioned this subject to me in our conversation today.