894.628/118

The Secretary of the Navy (Swanson) to the Secretary of State

(SC) QS1/EF37

Sir: Enclosures (A) and (B)55 are forwarded as a matter of interest to the Department of State.

Information, in the files of the Navy Department, shows conclusively that the Japanese Fishing Vessels already engaged in fishing on our coasts are in many cases equipped with long range radio, and when the Fleet goes out for exercises they are stationed so that the exercises are observed. They have also been known to make contact with Japanese vessels at sea. Some members of the crew of these vessels are not of the fisherman type. Should the situation as outlined in Enclosure (A)56 materialize the present situation would be aggravated and the National Defense would be jeopardized.

Respectfully,

Claude A. Swanson
  1. Neither printed.
  2. This referred to Japanese lobster fishing in Mexican waters off Lower California.