Office of the Historian

793.94/9281: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, August 11, 1937—3 p.m.
[Received August 11—6:40 a.m.]

256. Embassy’s 254, August 10, 7 p.m.

1.
The British Chargé d’Affaires called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning and presented his Government’s offer of good [Page 373] offices, leaving with him a brief pro memoria embodying the two points proposed.
2.
Hirota read the document very slowly and with great care and after a long pause (which Dodds estimated as at least 5 minutes) observed that it might be possible later to consider taking advantage of the offer. He then made to Dodds in confidence practically the identical statement which he had made to me yesterday. No mention was made of my own conversation with the Minister.
3.
Dodds is reporting to his Government that Hirota in subsequent conversation had expressed optimism but that for the first time he seemed to be less certain that Chiang Kai-shek would not fight. Hirota admitted that Chiang is in a difficult position; that he is surrounded by generals who do not want to fight but that the younger Chinese officers are eager for war.
4.
Dodds is adding to his telegram to London the opinion that the action taken by us was well worth while.

Repeated to Nanking.

Grew