800.79611 Pangborn-Herndon Flight/124: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Secretary of State

141. Foreign Office stated informally today that Pangborn-Herndon permit would be issued but the Japanese Government would prefer if at all possible that the flight be postponed until further notice. They state that postponement would help them out of a [predicament?] as the opposition would die down by then and anyway the weather would be more favorable. They have assured the Embassy that every effort [Page 1054] would be made to smooth the way for the flight in the spring and that there would be no difficulties.

The fliers have been [consulted?] but they object decidedly to postponement. I suggest that the Department consult supporters of the flight as I shall have to address the Foreign Minister further on this subject if the flight is to be attempted this year and I should prefer to do so by instruction, much as I should like to get the men out of Japan permanently at an early date.

Forbes