762.94/435: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 4—3:30 p.m.]
454. 1. The only statement in the Mowrer despatch as summarized in the Department’s 271, August 31, 8 p.m. which I have reason to believe is true is that of Great Britain’s desire to prevent Japan’s alignment with Germany and the Soviet Union. The story appears to contain only three statements of a bona fide fact nature as follows:
First, that Germany and the Soviet Union have pressed Japan to accept a specified offer. We know no such offer has been made, and if the German and Soviet Governments have any correct perception of the sentiment here they will not make the offer in the circumstances now existing;
[Page 62]Second, that Japan has approached Great Britain and France with some offer of cooperation. If that is so, the British Ambassador here and the British Government are guilty of fantastic duplicity towards us, which I for various reasons do not believe for a moment is the case;
Third, that Great Britain and France have consulted Washington with a view to the settlement of the China conflict.
2. For the rest the suggestions in the story are mutually inconsistent and do not stand analysis. I can present an extended analysis but the points I have above enumerated may be sufficient for correctly appraising the story.
Shanghai please repeat to Chungking.