1 68 FROM ABORTIVE REVOLUTION TO OPEN

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

Tokyo, July 8, 1936

To-day I made suggestion, as on my own initiative, to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs with regard to an invitation to the Alden to visit
open and unopened ports in the Pacific islands under Japanese
mandate.

Marked interest was shown by the Minister in the situation as I
described it, but he professed not to know anything at all about the
subject. He told me that he would see what there was that could
be done and that he would try to give me, before July 20, the results
of his inquiries.

GREW

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

Tokyo, July 28, 1936

At the request of the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Coun-
sellor of the Embassy called on the Vice-Minister to discuss certain
questions that had been broached by the Ambassador to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs. One of these questions related to the possibility
of the visit by the Alden to ports in the Japanese mandated islands.
This call was the only opportunity that presented itself for discussion
of the matter since the visit of the Ambassador on July 8.

The Vice-Minister stated that the suggestion of the Ambassador
had been referred to the Ministry of Overseas Affairs but that no
reply had been received. He further stated that there would probably
be a consultation with other government departments. In response
to a query by the Counsellor, he expressed the fear that the Foreign
Office had no way of expediting the reply.

The manner of the Vice-Minister was friendly, but it indicated
that the Foreign Office could do nothing further.

GREW

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan
(Paraphrase)

Washington, August 7, 1936

Embassy's telegram No. 163, July 28, i p.m. With regard to the
suggestion made relative to the Alden, the Department assumes that
there is no prospect that the Japanese authorities will take favour-
able action. In reply to a communication from the Japanese Embassy
here, the Department is to-day returning an adverse answer to that
Embassy's request that the Japanese Government training ship
Shintoku Maru be permitted to enter a Hawaiian harbour which is not
listed as a port of entry.

PHILLIPS