711.94/2300: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19—2:25 p.m.]
1487. For the Secretary and Under Secretary only. There is accumulating evidence that the Japanese Government is becoming increasingly restive, if not alarmed, over the approach of September 27, the first anniversary of the signing of the Tripartite Alliance, without there being given by the American Government any indication of its views with regard to the question whether or not formal negotiations with Japan will be feasible. As already reported, preparations are being made by pro-Fascist organizations—allegedly at German instigation and with German financial aid—for the holding of nationwide meetings to celebrate the anniversary. I understand that efforts will be made, by emphasizing the rescript issued by the Emperor last year when the alliance was concluded, to picture the present Cabinet, in engaging in conversations with the United States, as acting contrary to the Emperor’s will. In the absence of any indication of views from the American Government the Cabinet will very shortly be obliged to decide whether it will sanction the proposed celebrations, which of itself will necessarily carry certain implications with regard to the trend of the present conversations, or virtually ignore the anniversary and thus read Japan out of the Axis. You will realize that this would be an extremely difficult choice for the Cabinet to make. There appear to be several influential elements who are prepared to support the Cabinet in negotiations with the United States if there is given indication by the United States of some degree of reasonable expectation that the negotiations if started may be successful, but who would strongly oppose cutting loose from Germany in the absence of such indication.
Colonel Iwakuro and Mr. Wikawa [, who joined?] Ambassador Nomura in the Washington conversations of last Spring and who [Page 464] are now in Japan, have heard through Father Drought and Bishop Walsh that no decision with regard to the conversations will be given by the American Government before September 28. The Japanese contacts above named state that any such delay would gravely endanger the position of the Cabinet.
I hope that it will be possible for our Government to expedite its study of the available material with regard to the future policies and attitude of Japan so that a decision can be reached and communicated to the Japanese Government the early part of next week. I was told today that the way is not yet entirely clear for the Prime Minister to communicate to me the Japanese peace terms but that it was hoped arrangements would be completed tomorrow morning so that the terms could be conveyed to me, on the initiative of the Prime Minister, later in the day. These terms, if made available to us, might well prove an important factor in the making of our Government’s decision.