894.00/1070: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 19—3:03 p.m.]
1035. The Japanese press welcomes the formation of the third Konoye Cabinet, praising its smooth and speedy formation and acclaiming the unanimity presented by the new Government and the full cooperation of the military indicated by the selection of Admiral Toyoda as Foreign Minister and the presence in the Cabinet of three other service Ministers in addition to the Ministers of War and Navy. The absence of political party men is pointed out as an indication of strength within the Government consonant with the ideals of the new structure and the Imperial Rule Assistance Association. The Cabinet change is referred to rather as a “reorganization” than as a fall of the Government and the high policy decided at the Imperial Conference of July 238 is expected to be speedily and efficiently executed.
[Here follows summary of Japanese press comment regarding the new Cabinet.]
The personnel of the third Konoye Cabinet and the press comment upon the Cabinet permit the following conclusions:
- (1)
- The present political eclipse of Matsuoka removes from the Cabinet a Nazi-Fascist tinge which has proved fundamentally unacceptable to the Japanese nation.
- (2)
- While no sudden reversal of policy can be expected, Japan will follow a course neither suggested nor dictated by Germany and therefore less likely to lead to a clash with the United States.
- (1) [3?]
- The Cabinet represents a measure of unity achievable among political, military, and financial elements, which presents before the nation a stronger structure than has governed Japan up to the present.