711.94/2275: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 11—10:12 a.m.]
1443. As indicated in Embassy’s 1416, September 7, 2 p.m.,16 there is evidence that the extreme Nationalist elements in Japan are alarmed at the reports of negotiations between Japan and the United States. Petitions have been presented to the Prime Minister and there have been recent meetings of such organizations as the Tohokai and Nippon Seisanto undoubtedly intended to strengthen the pro-Axis forces in Japan. Large posters have now appeared on the streets announcing a mass meeting of the Tohokai to be held September 13 at which Seigo Nakano, one of the extremist leading authorities, reported recently to have been arrested for investigation, is scheduled to speak. The posters bear the German and Italian insignia.
It is recalled that the editor of the Gaiko Jiho (Revue Diplomatique), expressing the moderate view and supporting diplomatic negotiations with the United States (Embassy’s 1429, September 8, 11 a.m. [p.m.]16) warned against the use of direct actions by elements who might not understand the true situation. Certainly the extremists will bend every effort to block any trend of policy away from the Axis and some action by them to forestall such a development is not impossible. The leading article in the August issue of the monthly magazine Nippon Hyoron entitled, “Great Japan on the eve of decisive world war”, by the notorious Kingoro Hashimoto (who commanded the battery that fired on the Ladybird17 and was later active in the Imperial Rule Assistance Association), severely criticised the Government for lack of strength, intimates that compromise is being made with liberalistic elements and points out that the Imperial Rule Assistance Association has failed because it attempted to amalgamate liberalistic and totalitarian elements. He points out as absolutely necessary the construction under Japan’s leadership of an [Page 442] Asia bloc facilitated by cooperation with Germany and Italy. He condemns opportunism in Japan’s national policy and said that groups which he supports are now working to the end that Japan’s political power will be strengthened in order that the nation may derive the maximum advantage from world developments.
Hashimoto, in another article appearing in the Hochi, states that the forces attempting to overthrow the Axis are futile and that Japan can find no point of agreement in the Joint Roosevelt-Churchill message. He condemns statesmen “who resist truth” and appeals for a new leader for Japan.
Yoshitaro Shimizu, a commentator of pro-Axis views who has contributed a number of articles to the press in recent weeks, warns in the Hochi against any step by Japan which might affect the significance of the war in China. Reference is made to the Konoye message to the President18 and the fact that its contents are yet unknown to the nation. The writer expresses apprehension lest Japan admit the United States claims for the open door and equal opportunity in the Far East, stating that American funds would immediately pour into China, establish financial control dangerous to Japan, and develop munitions industry in China, and that anti-Japanese movements would then arise in China supported by our economic power. Shimizu concludes, “If Japan should fall victim to the machinations of the United States, the American dollar would come to control all of East Asia against which Japan would be able to do nothing. An attempt to escape at this moment of world crisis would bring the fall of Japan. Every Japanese demands that the meaning of the Holy War not be lost and that the sacrifice of tens of thousands of lives in the China campaign not be in vain”.
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- British ship fired upon by Japanese at Wuhu, December 12, 1937, same day as sinking by the Japanese of the U. S. S. Panay. See Foreign Relations, 1937, vol. iv, pp. 487 and 498–499.↩
- August 27, Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 572.↩