894.00/563: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 26, 1936-10 a. m. [Received February 26-2: 22 a. m.] 36. The military took partial possession of the Government and city early this morning and it is reported have assassinated several prominent men. It is impossible as yet to confirm anything. The news correspondents are not permitted to send telegrams or to telephone abroad. This telegram is being sent primarily as a test message to ascertain if our code telegrams will be transmitted. GREW 894.00/564: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 26, 1936-noon. [Received February 26-4: 52 a. m.18] 37. Embassy's 36, February 26, 10 a. m. 1. It now appears fairly certain that former Premier Admiral Saito, former Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Count Makino, Grand Chamberlain Admiral Suzuki, and General Watanabe, Inspector General of Military Education, have been assassinated. It is also reported that Finance Minister Takahashi and the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Board have been wounded. 2. The Military have established a cordon around the district containing the Government Administration Offices and the Imperial Palace and do not permit ingress without army passes. Telephonic communication with the administrative offices has also been stopped. The stock exchange has been closed. 3. It has been reported that Premier Okada, Home Minister Goto and former War Minister Hayashi were also assassinated and that Finance Minister Takahashi has died of his wounds. The Embassy cannot confirm any of these rumors. 4. So far there has been no disorder and no street fighting as far as the Embassy is aware. The troops taking part in the uprising appear to be under perfect discipline and are not interfering with normal affairs of the people. Until the nature and probable results of the uprising are better understood by the Embassy however the Embassy is advising those who ask to remain at home. There appears to be absolutely no anti-foreign feeling involved in the affair. 16 Telegram in four sections. 5. A mimeographed statement was left by groups of soldiers at each of the principal newspaper offices this morning. The statement alleged that the present Government had been drifting away from the true spirit of Japan and that it had usurped the prerogatives of the Emperor. As evidence of this statement cited the signing of the London Naval Treaty 17 and the dismissal of General Masaki. It continued rather vaguely with an expression translated by the United Press about as follows: "If this condition is permitted to continue, the relations of Japan to China, Russia, Britain and the United States will become 'explosive in nature"". The statement was signed by Captain Nonaka and Captain Ando, both of the Third Infantry Regiment stationed in Tokyo. According to the soldiers who delivered the statement, another announcement will be made at 5 o'clock this evening and at that time "a new law of state" will be promulgated. The Embassy's informant believes that certain constitutional prerogatives will be suspended. He likened the existing situation to the Batista coup d'état in Cuba.18 6. As far as the Embassy has yet been able to ascertain, the uprising is in the nature of a coup d'état engineered by the young Fascist element in the army and intended to destroy the entire group of elder statesmen who have been advisers to the Throne and thereby to effect the so-called "Showa restoration". The Emperor himself is apparently being held incommunicado in the Palace presumably to prevent anyone from obtaining access to him and securing an Imperial mandate which would interfere with the plans of the army group. The immediate causes of the uprising appear to have been the recent election which returned an unexpectedly large number of the more liberal candidates and the trial of Aizawa, murderer of General Nagata, which has excited the feelings of the Fascist element in the army. Latest reports indicate that General Masaki is the leading spirit in the affair and that Admiral Osumi, Minister of the Navy, has assumed the position of Acting Prime Minister. The movement appears to have been thoroughly organized in advance down to the last detail. 7. The Embassy has just learned from a fairly reliable source that Count Makino is safe. 17 Signed April 22, 1930, Foreign Relations, 1930, vol. 1, p. 107. 18 See ibid., 1933, vol. v, pp. 361 ff. GREW 894.00/563: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) WASHINGTON, February 26, 1936–5 p. m. 25. Unless you perceive objection, please communicate to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs as from me a message reading as follows: "On behalf of the American Government and people I assure you of the deep regret with which we have learned of the death of distinguished officials of the Japanese Government and I extend to you our sincere condolences." Report action by telegraph. HULL 894.00/566: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 26, 1936-7 p. m. [Received February 26-12: 15 p. m.1o] 38. Embassy's 37, February 26, noon. 1. Up to this point the Embassy has endeavored merely to keep the Department promptly apprised of current reports emanating from the most reliable contacts available but not susceptible of definite confirmation. In the existing nebulous atmosphere the wildest rumors have naturally been passed around in Tokyo. The following information was received confidentially this afternoon in conversation with a friendly and trustworthy official. 2. "It appears that the attempted coup d'état was the work of a few companies of the First and Third Regiment of the First Division with headquarters in Tokyo. These soldiers amounting to perhaps 1000 men, led by officers of junior_rank, left their barracks in the night with arms and ammunition. Some of the men seized the Prime Minister's residence, the police headquarters, the Home Office, the War Department, and the office of the General Staff of the Army. The rest armed with machine guns proceeded to the residences of Viscount Saito, Admiral Suzuki, Finance Minister Takahashi, General Watanabe and others and murdered them. Attempts were also made upon Prince Saionji and Count Makino residing in the country but both appeared to have been forewarned and to have escaped although their safety is not yet definitely confirmed. The exact list of the assassinated officials is not available and the Government has banned all news regarding the matter. The uninjured members of the Cabinet and of the War Council are meeting at the Palace in lieu of other 19 Telegram in two sections. available meeting place. Admiral Osumi, Minister of the Navy, is reportedly acting Prime Minister. The Government believes itself in command of the situation and apparently no new units have joined the insurgents who are still in possession of the buildings they seized last night. The approaches to these buildings as well as the Palace entrances are guarded by soldiers from loyal units not affiliated with the revolutionary troops. The higher military officers have not taken drastic action against the latter because they do not wish further bloodshed or street fighting." 3. This afternoon a meeting was held between the Emperor, Imperial Princes, members of the Cabinet and members of the War Council at which discussions were held regarding the Acting Premier. It is reported by newspaper men (who are not allowed to publish the news) that at the meeting it was proposed that Prince Konoye 20 or General Araki 21 be appointed as Premier but the insurgents stated that they wanted either Admiral Kanji Kato 22 or Baron Hiranuma; 23 otherwise they will resume their insurgency. The Embassy has not yet been able to ascertain who has been appointed Acting Premier but official sources have mentioned to the Embassy Osumi and Goto. Negotiations are proceeding between the Army High Command and the insurgents but the latter refuse to surrender the buildings they occupy. Additional loyal Government troops have been brought into Tokyo from nearby towns. 4. Latest reports indicate that Home Minister Goto and former War Minister Hayashi were not assassinated. 5. At the present moment there is no indication or prospect of antiforeign demonstrations in Tokyo. The Embassy's statement in paragraph 4 of telegram No. 37 24 that there appears to be absolutely no anti-foreign feeling involved in the affairs referred primarily to the absence of anti-foreign demonstrations. Obviously a chauvinistic discontent with the so-called liberal policies of the late Government was the basis of the coup d'état involving dissatisfaction with its foreign, no less than its domestic, policies and measures. 6. The report of General Masaki's implication in the revolt is not confirmed. The restricted size of the movement so far as we can now see indicated fairly clearly that it was the work of junior officers. The Embassy has been given to understand that there will be no further developments of the situation tonight. GREW 20 President of the House of Peers. 21 Former Minister of War. 22 Former Chief of the Naval General Staff. 23 Vice President of the Privy Council. 24 Dated February 26, noon, p. 719. 894.00/570: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 26, 1936-11 p. m. [Received February 26-2 p. m.] 39. 1. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi in an extra tonight states that Home Minister Goto has been appointed as temporary acting Premier. 2. The Embassy has learned from a reliable informant who talked with Count Makino this evening that Makino was neither killed nor wounded. GREW 894.00/571: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 27, 1936-noon. [Received February 27-1:37 a. m.] 40. Department's 25, February 26, 5 p. m. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs expects to be all day in conference at the Palace, I have communicated your message to his secretary who undertook to deliver it textually to Hirota this morning. GREW 894.00/572: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, February 27, 1936-1 p. m. [Received February 27-9:30 a. m.25] 41. Embassy's 39, February 26, 11 p. m. 1. The deaths have now been confirmed of Premier Okada, Admiral Saito, General Watanabe and Finance Minister Takahashi, although Takahashi's death has not been officially announced, probably to avoid disturbing financial circles. Admiral Suzuki is still alive although seriously wounded. Prince Saionji is safe. 2. Martial law was proclaimed by Imperial Ordinance at 3 this morning embracing the entire City of Tokyo and commanded by General Kashii. It is indicated that the martial law will restrict traffic in certain areas and establish a strict censorship over newspapers, telegraphs and telephones in order to minimize misleading rumors and to calm the situation. 3. None of the stock or commodity exchanges opened today. The banks are open but doing little business, the situation being still too 25 Telegram in two sections. |