793.94 Conference/272: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, November 19, 1937—9
p.m.
[Received November 19—12:23 p.m.]
[Received November 19—12:23 p.m.]
554. My 549, November 18, 6 p.m., paragraphs numbered 2 and 4.
- 1.
- Craigie has not yet heard from his Government but happening to see the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs today he took the occasion [Page 701] to inquire personally and without instructions whether Horinouchi could now reply to Craigie’s question as to Japan’s attitude towards a possible Anglo-American offer of good offices. The Vice Minister replied definitely that at the present moment the only form of good offices acceptable to the Japanese Government would be an effort to persuade the Chinese Government to enter into negotiations for peace.
- 2.
- Craigie then inquired whether the stumbling block was Japanese distaste for an Anglo-American offer of good offices and whether Japan would perhaps prefer an offer from some other country. Horinouchi replied to both questions in the negative.
- 3.
- It, therefore, appears that the present moment is not opportune for any mediatory step by either the American or the British Government or both.
Grew