761.6211/92: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, August 24,
1939—7 p.m.
[Received August 24—11:56 a.m.]
[Received August 24—11:56 a.m.]
433. Our 430, August 24, 3 p.m.67
- 1.
- Local developments yesterday evening and today combine to form a strong probability that the Cabinet at the meeting called for tomorrow will take decision to follow what is described as “a free and independent policy” with regard to the situation now unfolding in [Page 53] Europe. The Prime Minister has been conferring individually with the leading members of his Cabinet and it has been given out that he will issue an important statement on August 26. It is also being made clear that the army and navy have agreed that Japanese commitments in Europe are to be avoided, and the afternoon papers again carry the report described in paragraph 2 of our telegram under reference. What may be an indication of the decision which may be taken by the Cabinet tomorrow is the disclosure through the press of a report from the Japanese Ambassador at Berlin to the effect that when the German Foreign Secretary68 immediately prior to his departure to Moscow was asked by the Japanese Ambassador whether a strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact was still practicable he replied that circumstances unfortunately prevented development of relations with Japan.
- 2.
- My estimate of the position here at the moment is that the army has abandoned pressure for an alliance with Germany and Italy and that the Japanese Government while awaiting further developments in Europe will maintain a completely free position. If the attitude of the press and of individual Japanese is to be reflected in the final decision of the Japanese Government, I would have no hesitation in saying that the possibility of Japan associating itself with Germany and Italy against the democratic states has now disappeared.
Repeated to Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Chungking and Shanghai.
Dooman