894.00/541
The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt
Dear Mr. President: You may recall that I submitted to you, with my letter dated January 22, 1935, a despatch from Mr. Grew, the American Ambassador to Japan, on the subject: “The Importance of American Naval Preparedness in Connection with the Situation in the Far East.”55
There are enclosed a copy of a further despatch from Mr. Grew, on the subject: “Urge Toward Expansion in Japan,” and a digest thereof.56 In his previous despatch Mr. Grew urged that the United States “be adequately prepared to meet all eventualities in the Far East.” [Page 855] In his most recent despatch Mr. Grew discusses certain social and economic forces and conditions which apply to the Japanese and give rise to the movement toward economic and political expansion.
Mr. Grew presents the thought that the United States, while preparing itself to meet any eventualities in the Far East, might also assume a sympathetic and cooperative attitude toward Japan based on larger considerations reaching into the future. It is our belief that, since the present Administration came into office, we have endeavored, wherever practicable, to be cooperative toward Japan.
It is believed that perusal of the digest and, if time and opportunity permit, of the despatch itself will be found helpful.
Faithfully yours,