894.00/444½
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
My Dear Mr. Grew: I have read your personal letter of October eighth with my usual interest.
You have correctly diagnosed my policy in respect to the present situation. We have strictly refrained from any comment on the Lytton Report or on the recognition of Manchukuo, and I am a little amused to see that it is apparently disappointing the Japanese to have their shot fall on the air. The one thing that I am a little inclined to disagree with is the suggestion of the Japanese pacifists in respect to the [Page 326] American fleet. It is, of course, a matter of purely American domestic policy where that fleet is kept, and the Pacific just now is the most appropriate place for it to be. The American people would greatly resent any suggestion as to where they should keep their own fleet, but quite apart from that however much, as a matter of saving face, the Japanese may wish to have the fleet sent to the Atlantic, I think on the whole it has a very wholesome effect upon the sentiments of both the Japanese military and the Japanese people to realize that it is in the Pacific, and a bigger fleet than theirs. I shall be glad, however, to be kept informed of all things that come to you having any bearing on that question, as well as all other questions.
Very sincerely yours,