893.01 Manchuria/346: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22—5:48 a.m.]
194. 1. Referring paragraph 6 my 190, July 18, 4 p.m., Arita, in informal conversation has told me that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would probably not send for me as stated to Neville and that if I desired an interview it would be well to apply for an appointment as the British and Italian Ambassadors had done.
2. In view of your 143, July 29 [19], 2 p.m., I replied that I did not wish to ask for an interview at the present time.
3. I find that it is unfortunately going to be very difficult to maintain close relations with the Foreign Office here and to discuss pending political questions in an informal manner owing to the reprehensible habit of the Foreign Office of telling the press of the nature of such conversations. These conversations are often inaccurately reported and in the special case of the American representative they are always liable to cause undesirable if not inflammatory comment in the Japanese press. As the Department is aware the Foreign Office spokesman appears frequently to speak without the authority of his superiors and appears to enjoy creating sensational impressions.
4. I hope to be able to work out this problem in time.