740.0011 European War 1939/12623: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—10:05 a.m.]
904. I am informed orally that in the course of an interview granted yesterday by the Prime Minister to Mr. Neukeu [Menken?], representative of Paramount News Company, Prince Konoye stated that Japan would be able to reconcile the Tripartite Pact and the Neutrality [Page 990] Treaty with Soviet Russia. He said further that while he foresaw a German victory and German domination of the western part of Soviet Russia, he did not expect that German influence would extend to the east and he thought that there might not be a collapse of the present Soviet regime. He is reported to have emphasized that Japan desired only friendly relations with the United States and that there was no reason for a conflict to arise between the two countries.7
The representatives of the Associated Press and United Press, who were informed of this interview, are of the opinion that in view of Prince Konoye’s reported remarks it is improbable that the Japanese Government will issue any formal statement of policy in the near future.
Repeated to Moscow.