The Emperor tried to ascertain whether the senior advisers were in favor of diplomacy, first, or war, first. He could not get a clear answer. The next day, when the same question was raised again, the Chiefs of the Army and Navy General Staff remained silent. The Emperor expressed his regret that they had not seen fit to answer. He then drew a piece of paper out of his robe and read a poem by his grandfather, the Emperor Meiji: Since all are brothers in this world, Why is there such constant turmoil? The hall was silent. “Everyone present was struck with awe.” Then Admiral Nagano rose and said
...more
