811.2300/64a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Caffery)
33. Reference War Department World Flight. War Department has received telegram from Nutt stating that Japanese destroyers will transport gasoline and oil for aeroplanes to Kurile Islands, but will not permit Nutt to go as passenger. Chartering boat to Kurile Islands requiring 30 days time would cost $300 gold per day.
War Department states that it is necessary for Nutt to proceed to Kurile Islands to arrange for details regarding fueling, landings, et cetera, but expense of chartering vessel prohibitive. It is hoped that arrangements may be made with Japanese authorities to permit Nutt to proceed on destroyer, in which case he would comply absolutely with any restrictions. If this not practicable, would Japanese [Page 243] authorities object to Nutt’s proceeding to Kurile Islands on United States Navy destroyer? Japanese Naval Attaché and Assistant Naval Attaché have on several occasions been taken on board United States Naval vessels to witness bombing tests, et cetera.