But the factions in Tokyo had agreed on nothing beyond a vague appeal to the USSR. Nothing more concrete or conciliatory would be tolerated by the army. The regime’s public policy was to fight to the bitter last, while its diplomatic activities were kept secret. Prime Minister Suzuki’s public statements remained as spirited and bellicose as ever. The very idea of surrender was anathema; even the peacemakers were working on the assumption that some kind of bargain could be struck.
