761.9411/51: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 25—10:05 a.m.]
437. Our 435, August 25, noon.
1. The source referred to in paragraph 1 of our telegram under reference was the German Ambassador. Schwartz [Ott?] inquired informally at the Foreign Office whether any report to the effect that a Soviet proposal for a non-aggression pact had been received from the Japanese Ambassador at Moscow and the reply was “no but the German Ambassador is now obviously in a much better position than we are to know what is in the mind of the Soviet Government.”
2. I am informed that the German Ambassador has put forward to the Japanese arguments as follows:
The greater part of the Soviet Army has until now been maintained in Europe against a possible threat from Germany and the conclusion of the Soviet-German treaty relieves Russia of the need for maintaining such forces. Germany is, therefore, in a position to persuade the Soviet Government to revise its attitude toward Japan and to establish friendly relations with that country. The opportunity is thus afforded Japan to align itself with Russia and Germany and to have their support in attacking Great Britain, their common enemy.
The fact that the Japanese are disclosing the arguments with which the German Ambassador is approaching them and the widely expressed revulsion of feeling against Germany are, I believe, significant indications of the Japanese thought with regard to linking up with Germany and Russia.
3. I am told by a reliable Japanese informant that plans for the forthcoming change of Government are in the hands of Prince Konoye [Page 55] and Count Makin;70 that, supported by the political parties and big business, they are endeavoring to bring about the appointment as Prime Minister of General Ugaki as first choice or General Abe, retired army officer of pronounced moderate views, or Shodta [as second?]. If that statement were the whole truth there could be no conclusion drawn other than that Japan will drastically revise her policy in China and her attitude toward the United States and Great Britain. But I hear from another source that the “independent policy” group are very definitely to be reckoned with and are putting forward other candidates. The greatly weakened pro-Axis group are not being heard from.
- Former Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.↩