[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be
returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
36
From JAPAN.
Decypher.
Sir R. Craigie. (Tokyo).
November 25th, 1937.
D.
November 25th, 1957.
R.
December 13th, 1957.
No. 1. Saving.
251
My telegram No. 717.
De
Although the tone of the Press has latterly improved (due perhaps to promised official discouragement of anti-British articles) feeling of resentment against Great Britain throughout the country as a whole seems from all accounts that reach to be on the increase. So far as we can judge, feeling is not so far very deep-seated but it is exceptionally widespread.
hen all allowance has been made for the efforts of the notoriety - hunting type of politician to turn the situation to his own advantage, there can be no doubt that the great majority of these ill-informed people sincerely believe that Great Britain has been secretly helping China with arms and money since the incident started. Those in touch with foreign affairs consider in addition that the leading rôle which they allege was assumed by Great Britain at Geneva and Brussels proves not only her deep hostility to Japan but also her impotence in face of present Far Eastern situation. From this it is but a small step to assertions of extremists that the moment is now opportune for a "show-down".
Danger to my mind is that the organised reactionary elements in the country, to which the promoters of meeting reported in my telegram under reference may be said to belong may ultimately actuate a position in which those responsible for the conduct cf affairs would be obliged to follow them. It would not be the first
time that this has happened in Japan.
je..
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