793.94/16766: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 2—12:23 p.m.]
1159. Department’s 451, August 1, 11 a.m.54 Although the successive bombings of Chungking have been carried out by Japanese naval planes, the unqualified character of the expression conveyed to you by Admiral Nomura of Japan’s readiness to discontinue bombing of the Chungking area would indicate that such decision was participated in by the Army. I do not wish to exaggerate the importance of this matter, but having regard to the persistence with which the Japanese fighting services have exercised their claim to a right to carry on whatever military operations they see fit, this present recession (the first on record) from that position, admittedly involving no great sacrifice from the military point of view, would seem to be a significant indication of the present attitude of mind of Japanese military.