893.20/477
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 12.]
Sir: From time to time a bogey of American intrigues in Fukien provinces, usually linked with American aid to Chinese aviation, has caused agitation in Japan.
The Japanese people are extraordinarily apprehensive of attack from the air, realizing probably that their country fears little from attack from the sea, while sensing that the unusual concentration of population and wealth in the few major Japanese cities renders the [Page 45] country particularly vulnerable to attacks from the air. For this reason the Japanese are very much concerned over the growth of the Soviet air forces; over the building of American airplane carriers, and recently over rumors of American aid to Chinese aviation.
Rumors of such aid first appeared in the press last July and August*. One paper published an elaborate contract alleged to have been signed between the Chinese Minister in Washington and the Department relative to aviation. Since that time little has been heard of this matter until the present session of the Diet. Several speakers, during the past few weeks, have touched on the matter of American aid to Chinese aviation. The following extract from an interpellation by Mr. Saburo Yasumi, a Seiyukai member, made in the Lower House on January 25th is typical:
“As you all know, rumors have been persistently circulated since the Spring of 1932 that the United States has sent many aviators to China as instructors and that a loan contract is to be signed between China and the United States with the object of enlarging Chinese air forces. However, these rumors remain to be confirmed.
“By virtue of Article 19 of the Washington Treaty54 it is agreed that the signatories shall maintain the status quo in defensive equipment in their respective territories and possessions.…55 However, a certain Power which is a signatory to the Treaty and which has immense capital, is about to build up a powerful air force in Canton and Fukien which are contiguous to Japan’s possessions. Such operations are contrary to the spirit of the status quo agreement (applause)”.
The Foreign Minister, Mr. Hirota, replied to this interpellation as follows:
“If the government of a State signatory to this Treaty launches any enterprise recognizable as a violation of this Treaty, as described by Mr. Yasumi, the Japanese Government would not by any means remain passive. As to whether such violation is a fact or not, I am keeping close watch in concert with the appropriate authorities”.
On the same day Mr. Seigo Makano, a member of the Kokumin Domei and parliamentary Vice Minister of Communications stated:
“In China, the United States is now establishing aerial routes from Fukien, which is just opposite Japan’s possession Taiwan, to Canton, Shanghai and other places. This activity of the United States is evidence of her plan to create a monopoly in China”.
The Tokyo Nichi Nichi of February 19th carried the following report: [Page 46]
“On February 18th the Foreign Office received a report from the Japanese authorities in South China, the gist of which is as follows:
- “1. There is much suspicion that the funds for the construction of two aerodromes in Fukien were obtained from the Soong56 cotton-wheat loans.
- “2. Officers of a United States warship now moored off Amoy have frequently inspected the sites for the new aerodromes.
- “3. Construction of these aerodromes may prove to be a violation of the Fukien Province Non-Concession Agreement signed between Japan and China in April 1898.”57
The Japan Advertiser of February 21, commenting on the same subject stated:
“The (Foreign Office) spokesman indicated that Japan’s diplomatic and consular officials in China were investigating the reports, which in itself was taken as evidence that some credence is placed in them by the Japanese authorities”.
In my opinion this constant predilection toward uncovering American intrigues is simply further evidence of the agitated state of mind in Japan, and the suspicion with which any extension of influence in Eastern Asia by another power is regarded by Japanese at present.
Respectfully yours,
- Embassy’s despatch No. 495, August 14, 1933. [Footnote in the original; despatch printed in Foreign Relations, 1933, vol. iii, p. 387.]↩
- Signed February 6, 1922, ibid., 1922, vol. i, p. 247.↩
- Omission indicated in the original despatch.↩
- T. V. Soong, Chinese Minister of Finance in 1933.↩
- See Chinese declaration of April 26, 1898, John V. A. MacMurray (ed.), Treaties and Agreements With and Concerning China, 1894–1919 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1921), vol. i, p. 126.↩