711.94/1490: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
142. Your 302, May 3, midnight, and 303, May 4, 5 a.m. We are glad to note that Mr. Sayre has made it clear to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that he has not been commissioned by his Government to express its views and that the comments which he has made to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the conversations of May 2 and May 3 were made unofficially and privately. We are somewhat disturbed over the possibility that the fact of Mr. Sayre’s having held such extensive conversations with Arita may be played up in Japanese publicity. We are still unable to envisage in the situation as it has developed to date possible terms of agreement which would appear likely to be acceptable to both the Chinese and the Japanese Governments, and which would be consistent with the principles in which we believe, and the position which we have consistently maintained that a settlement, to be satisfactory, must be fair to all concerned. Our views in this regard are strengthened by the tenor of the statements made by Mr. Arita to you and to Dooman37 in conversations recently reported upon.38 We do not wish to give any countenance to or to be in any way connected with any indirect or secret approaches between Japanese and Chinese authorities, or, for the present at least, to be in any way a channel or vehicle for any informal communications between them. We suggest that in his final conversation next Monday Mr. Sayre hear whatever Mr. Arita may wish to say; if Arita makes any [Page 328] proposals, state that he will inform you of them; and in conclusion say that he will make through you full report upon what has transpired.