762.94/67
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s strictly confidential instruction No. 880 of November 15, 1935,79 in which was enclosed a paraphrase of telegram No. 941 of November 7, 1935, from the American Embassy at Paris.79 The telegram quoted a conversation with a German official who boasted of the close relations between German and Japanese General Staffs.
The Military Attaché at this Embassy informs me that apparently there is great cordiality between the German Military Attaché and the Japanese military authorities. The German Embassy, in its entertaining, seems to lay stress on good relations with the Japanese army. This Embassy is not in a position to state to what extent the German and Japanese General Staffs actually collaborate, but there is no mistaking the cordiality that exists.
In this connection, I was informed by one of my colleagues from Central Europe, that Poland, Germany and Japan have very close military relations. It seems that at a recent social affair at the Polish Legation, the Soviet Ambassador went to the trouble of posting an [Page 482] observer at the gate. This observer reported the presence of some 350 Japanese army officers—an unprecedented number, as Japanese army officers are not given to calling at foreign Missions on ordinary social occasions. This was taken by my informant to indicate exceptionally good relations. I may add that the Soviet Embassy seems decidedly of the opinion that both Germany and Poland collaborate with the Japanese General Staff.
Respectfully yours,