761.6211/123: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 26—7:42 a.m.]
440. 1. Japanese thought and attitude with regard to European problems is now definitely crystallizing along the lines pointed out in our 428, August 23, 7 p.m., and subsequent telegrams, namely, the bringing to an end of special relations with Germany and Italy which were based on the Anti-Comintern Pact and reversion to a “free and open policy”. Yesterday’s important local developments were:
- (a)
- after a Cabinet meeting held yesterday afternoon the Chief
Secretary of the Cabinet issued to the press a statement as follows:
“It is unnecessary to say that the Japanese Government will adhere to a free and independent policy whatever might be the direction in which the European situation develops. It has been decided that in view of the new situation arising from the conclusion of the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty, preparations which were in hand for strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Axis will be abandoned. Furthermore, new concepts with regard to general policy are being carefully [examined?]”;
- (b)
- immediately after the Cabinet meeting the German Ambassador called at his request on the Foreign Minister to explain the German position and the latter informed him that in the view of the Japanese Government the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty is a violation of the Anti-Comintern Pact and that the Japanese Ambassador in Berlin had on August 25 communicated to the German Government the decision of the Japanese Government to bring to an end the “strengthening of the Anti-Comintern Pact”;
- (c)
- the explanation of the German Ambassador, substantially along the lines presented in paragraph 2 of our 435, August 25, noon, [Page 56] is strongly resented as an invitation to Japan to place herself at the mercy of Germany.
2. It is now being stated by the press that the Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister’s decision to tender his resignation shortly. This will probably take place next week. I am informed by a Japanese very close to the Prime Minister that a political change in the Government, additional to that set forth in paragraph 2 of our 435, August 25, noon, is the desire of the Prime Minister to assume responsibility for failure of the Japanese Government to foresee the German-Soviet treaty.
3. I venture to present the thought that Japan’s turning away from Germany should not be interpreted as necessarily involving the taking of an attitude hostile toward Germany and the forming of close association with Great Britain and France in the event of war breaking out in Europe. The change in Japanese policy is, as I see it, essentially a return to the middle of the road. Whether the new course will open the way to restoration of friendly relations with the United States and Great Britain will be influenced so strongly by events yet to come that the assumption that there will be a fundamental modification of Japanese attitude toward the United States and Great Britain should not lightly be made.
Repeated to Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Chungking.