Office of the Historian

894.00/734: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, May 17, 1937—8 p.m.
[Received May 17—11:40 a.m.]

131. Addressing the Conference of Prefectural Governors today the Premier expressed the political generalities previously reported in his statements of policy, and said that the Government expects the cooperation of the newly elected House of Representatives in the public interest. The Foreign Minister delivered a long and important speech the substance of which follows:

1.
Anti-Japanese sentiment in China is widespread. The Nanking Government itself uses the growing spirit of nationalism by urging cessation of internal hostilities in order to resist foreign aggression. China is progressing in unification. Japan harbors no aggressive designs. The Japanese Government hopes to create a more harmonious atmosphere by fresh personal contact, cultural cooperation, interdependent economic relationship founded upon common interests.
2.
Military construction and war industries in the Soviet Far East are being pushed with vigor and speed. The trials of January and August in Russia show that the country’s internal condition is complicated. Japan is trying to eliminate unnecessary friction. Unnecessary friction has arisen through treatment of Japanese officials and subjects by Soviet officials and through complaints against Japanese treatment of Soviet officials. It is desirable that Japanese prefectural governors exercise care in this regard.
3.
It is highly desirable to secure firmly Great Britain’s friendship. Not a few questions with regard to China and trade require solution between Japan and Great Britain. The Japanese Government is exerting its [influence?] to solve them.
4.
Relations with the United States are satisfactory on the whole. Japanese expanding export trade has caused difficulties which have been gradually resolved by mutual understanding. The Economic Mission now touring the United States is expecting to enhance this friendly atmosphere. The Murchison Mission resulted in a satisfactory agreement.8a I hope that Japan and the United States, whose economic relations are complementary, will continue to collaborate in the task of preserving peace in the Pacific.
5.
The agreement of last November with Germany against the Communist International is simply a continuation of Japan’s invariable policies against all Communist movements. This agreement is of the greatest value and significance.
6.
International trade is essential to a densely populated country like Japan. The restoration of freedom of trade and the opening of sources of raw materials which the Japanese Government has on all occasions advocated is an assertion of our right of national existence. Japanese representatives abroad must be constantly vigilant against obstruction of Japanese exports.
7.
Treatment of Japanese abroad depends in part on treatment of foreigners in Japan. Prefectural governors are requested not to treat foreigners with too great rigor simply because they are foreigners.

To Peiping by mail.

Grew
  1. For correspondence on this subject, see vol. iv, pp. 780 ff.↩