740.0011 European War 1939/12350: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 23—11:08 a.m.]
867. 1. There has thus far been no authoritative or otherwise definitive reaction here to the German attack on Russia.96 The importance of this development was, however, attested to by a meeting yesterday of the “Inner Cabinet” and by conferences of high officials at the Foreign Office and War Department. The papers this morning report briefly that war between Germany and Russia is bound to have serious repercussions internally as well as on Japan’s foreign policies and that, while the Japanese Government for the present will continue merely to await further developments, it may, if circumstances warrant, make an announcement in the near future for the purpose of clarifying its position.
[Page 980]2. The German Ambassador called yesterday evening on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to communicate officially to the Japanese Government the German declaration of war against Russia. The Foreign Office release states that the call lasted one hour, thus suggesting that the call was something more than pro forma.
3. [Here follows report on press reactions.]
4. The papers yesterday conducted surveys of the views of anonymous business leaders and publicists. Consensus would appear to be that yesterday’s development in Europe does not call for any hasty decision on the part of Japan. The view is put forward that, whereas China can no longer count on help from Russia, American help to China will undoubtedly increase. Reference was also made to the termination of trade between Germany and Japan. Mention was also made with considerable emphasis of the need for Japan to go forward as quickly as possible with plans for the completion of the Japan–China–Manchukuo economic and industrial bloc.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Moscow. Code text via air mail to Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Chungking.