138 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1934, VOLUME III

793.94/6612 : Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Toxyo, April 26, 1934—5 p. m.
[ Received April 26—9:30 a. m.|

77. Department’s 56, April 25, 1 p. m.*

1. Statement was first issued orally to press correspondents in
Japanese and later “unofficially” in written English translation.

2. No written Japanese text was issued by the Foreign Office but
Rengo distributed a Japanese text of the oral statement and the
Foreign Office has not denied the authenticity or correctness of the
Rengo Japanese text.

3. Fleisher’s translation of the Rengo Japanese text was checked
by the Embassy and found to be substantially correct.

4, A translation was issued on the 19th by the Foreign Office but was —
subsequently labeled “An English translation unofficially issued by the
Foreign Office of the unofficial statement issued by the Foreign Office
on April 17”.> This translation which consists of 550 words appears
to be a substantially identical version of Fleisher’s translation which
was adopted by the Foreign Office with a few unimportant changes.
Copies were mailed to the Department 21st. The complete text will
be telegraphed if deemed by the Department necessary or desirable.

5. The Embassy has copies of the Rengo Japanese text and of the
“unofficial” English translation issued by the Foreign Office.

6. The “unoflicial” translation issued by the Foreign Office differs
slightly in wording from the translation telegraphed to the Herald
Tribune but does not differ substantially in meaning. In telegraphing
his translation Fleisher omitted a few words and phrases which do
not appear necessary to convey the meaning.

The Department appears to be endeavoring to obtain an authorita-
tive text of the statement. There is no authoritative text. The best
obtainable is the unofficial English translation of the unofficial oral
statement made by the spokesman of the Foreign Office to newspaper-
men. I have good reason to believe however that the Japanese text as
read by Amau was taken from an instruction approved by Hirota for
transmission to all Japanese diplomatic missions for their guidance
but released by Amau to the press without Hirota’s knowledge or
consent.

Since the beginning of this affair I have made no statements what-
ever to the press, taking the position that any information on the sub-

* Not printed.
* For text, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931-1941, vol. 1, p. 224.
** Despatch No. 751, April 20, from the Ambassador in Japan, ibid., p. 228.