500.A4/100: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 6—9 p.m.]
659. For the Secretary of State, sent by instruction of the Ambassador. The following appears in today’s newspapers:
“We have received from an official source the following statement on the Japanese press and public opinion on the question of the Washington conference.
‘The public in Japan seems to have been struck, first of all, by the suddenness with which the President of the United States brought forward his proposal for a conference on the reduction of armaments and the settling the Pacific.
Nothing was said at first in disagreement with the proposals because it was generally assumed that America was deeply concerned with the question of international peace and the solution of the Pacific problem, but later on a feeling gradually became manifested that Great Britain was responsible for the real initiative lying behind the proposal. This feeling changed the character of public discussion from the question of the conference to that of the continuation of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Newspapers such as the Jiji and the Yokohama Iura which may be described as adopting a conciliatory attitude expressed a certain amount of sympathy with Great Britain on account of the difficulties of her [position?], while the Kokumin and the Hochi whose political tone is usually high-handed expressed the opinion in their editorials that Japan had been imposed upon.
The attitude of America has also occupied great space in the editorial columns since discussion of the conference was fairly started. Both the Jiji and the Yokohama Iura consider that the American proposal should be accepted in an unquestioning spirit of faith. The Asahi of [Tokyo] and that of Osaka have both adopted a more or less conditional standpoint and the attitude of disliking unconditional agreement to the American proposals has been taken by the great majority of newspapers.
In the course of discussion the following points have been [mentioned?]. Japan is ready to reduce her military plans to the minimum necessary for her own self-defense on condition that America frankly and promptly adopts a similar course.
With regard to the Pacific question the newspapers ask what is actually to be discussed at the conference. Japan’s Chinese and Siberian policy has already been decided upon and the Shantung and Yap question has surely been settled under the terms of the peace treaty with Germany. Supposing that America’s real intention lies in a desire to force China into the adoption of the open door and equal opportunities policies and other similar restrictions, why does not America adopt such measures herself and suggest them for Australia. It is surely unreasonable too that Italy should be made a party to the Pacific conference to the exclusion of Holland and the Southern and Central American Republics.
All these questions are regarded by the Japanese press as indicating inconsistencies on the part of America who seems to be aiming at the lion’s share of continental Asia regardless of the fact that she persists in the Monroe Doctrine with regard to Central and South America. Public opinion on the whole is stirred by no small enthusiasm and to an almost unprecedented extent. The reduction of armaments is regarded as excellent in principle but it is considered that in practice it will meet with almost insurmountable difficulties. It is also felt that powerful countries such as Great Britain and America should frankly give the lead in the reduction of armaments. The public also favor a solution of the Pacific problem but want to know to what extent the conference will proceed to deal with it. In this connection it is regarded as undesirable that only problems unfavorable to Japan and favorable to America should be taken up especially those which have already been dealt with under the treaty of peace with Germany and by the League of Nations. It is also asked, what is the position of the League of Nations in regard to the Pacific conference.
[Page 53]On the whole it emerges both from the press and from general discussions that at the present moment, although American earnestness and disinterestedness are generally taken for granted, there is certain current of opinion unfavorable to the American proposal, because, although theoretically it is regarded with complete approval, it is felt that a practical result cannot be recorded with any degree of confidence.’”
Following an inquiry as to authenticity of the statement the first secretary of the Japanese Embassy called upon me and informed me that it had been prepared solely for the Embassy’s files and had not been intended for publication. He told me confidentially that it had been given to the press by error of a clerk and that while it was a true precis of Japanese opinion Baron Hayashi was deeply chagrined that it had reached the public in the form of an official communiqué.