711.94/2251: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5—11:48 a.m.]
1401. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. A colleague who is in intimate touch with Mr. Hirota reports that in the course of a long talk with the latter today the former Prime Minister said he is optimistic that favorable results will accrue from the present efforts of the Government to bring about an improvement in Japanese-American relations and that the Government will be able to secure the approval and support of the Japanese people as a whole in these efforts. While these efforts are continuing, said Mr. Hirota, it is highly important to avoid incidents in either country which might inflame the Japanese or the American people.
With regard to the question of the American oil tankers being sent to Vladivostok, Mr. Hirota said that the anxiety in Japan arises from fear that this oil will be sent to Chiang Kai-shek. My colleague pointed out that if the oil were in fact destined for Chungking it would be patently absurd to send it to Vladivostok for the long and difficult overland haul.