Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume IV

793.94 Conference/138: Telegram

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

Tokyo, October 30, 1937—4 p.m.
[Received October 30—8:40 a.m.]

503. Department’s 272, October 29, 1 p.m.

1. A Domei despatch from Paris, which was published by all papers yesterday evening, attributes to the Associated Press a report that there is a growing feeling that a conference inclusive of powers with little or no interests in the Far East would serve no useful purpose, and that it would be advisable for the United States, Great Britain, France and Italy to endeavor jointly to mediate. The source of this suggestion is not indicated, except in another Domei despatch published in the Japan Advertiser reporting Sugimura’s⁴² denial of having mentioned the word “armistice” in interview with Associated Press correspondent or in any other conversation. Several of the papers state this morning that Japan desires direct negotiations with China without interposition of third powers, and that if the latter wish “to save the prestige of the Conference they should individually urge China to ask Japan for an armistice.” They stress that there can be no change in Japan’s stated attitude. Summary of editorials of the New York Times and Herald Tribune of October 28 cabled by Domei was also published this morning.

2. Hitherto the attitude of the Japanese Government toward peace terms has been expressed to me only in the most general terms envisaging Hirota’s “three points” (see Embassy’s 475, October 15, 5 p.m. paragraph No. 2). As the Department is well aware the interpretation of these points can be so broad as to leave the matter of terms completely nebulous unless or until stated with greater precision. In my opinion the most effective way of ascertaining the mind of the Japanese Government in this respect is for me to ask for an appointment with Hirota at his residence in order to avoid publicity and to tell him that I had come on my own initiative without instructions having in mind a remark made to him by me on August 6th (see our 248, August 6, 5 p.m.⁴³ paragraph No. 2) that I hoped he would let me know if at any time I could be personally helpful. This exploratory method of approach could lead up to the Brussels Conference and might conceivably elicit some closer indication of Japan’s present intentions without in any degree committing or involving our Government. The use of “go betweens” in such important matters is liable to be unsatisfactory and unreliable. It seems not impossible that Hirota might welcome such an opening to mobilize elements in Japan which do not favor war to the bitter end. I shall of course avoid such an approach until a reply to this telegram is received from the Department.

3. We will continue to follow developments with care.

Grew

42. Yotaro Sugimura, new Japanese Ambassador in France.
43. Vol. iii, p. 337.