I saw the Secretary of State [2] today. His main regard is to
avoid things being said or done that would precipitate fall of the
Konoye Government and its replacement by vicious hot-head
Government. Consequently he greatly deplores the publication here
today of story of Japanese invitation to President to meet Konoye
[3] which he fears will be used by the Japanese extremists as
indicating appeasement tendency on the part of Konoye.

I believe it probable that the Chinese here may have prompted
leakage of story of Konoye-Roosevelt meeting. They are mortally
afraid of being sold down the river although I believe this is the
last thing the United States would do.

The Secretary of State regards the tenure of Konoye Government as
precarious.

Secretary of State said his principal objective in resuming
discussions with Japan was to gain precious time during which
United States can improve their position in the Far East. He said
he had only a faint hope of success resulting from such
discussions.

He believes it possible that American petrol tankers going to
Vladivostok may be stopped by Japanese and hinted that if this
happened United States would finally stop all shipments to Japan.

CASEY