Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

811.3362i/15: Telegram

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

Tokyo, July 13, 1936—10 a.m.
[Received July 13—5:56 a.m.]

153. My 150, July 8, 10 a.m.

1. If the Japanese Government decides against favorable action on my informal suggestion that an invitation of its own volition be extended to the destroyer Alden to visit the closed ports of the Japanese Mandated Islands, it is quite possible that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will avoid communicating to me the unfavorable reply and will tacitly let the matter drop.

2. If such proves to be the case I can see nothing to be gained by pressing for an answer because failure to extend the suggested invitation would be tantamount to a refusal. Nevertheless, if the Department, having in mind the last sentence paragraph 1 Department’s 79, June 18, 6 p.m., feels that a definite even if adverse reply is desirable, it might be well that I should seek a further interview with the Foreign Minister a few days before July 21. I shall not do so unless so instructed.

3. For purposes of record a complete memorandum of my conversation with the Minister⁵⁹ has been prepared and will go to the Department in the pouch which leaves tomorrow.

Grew

59. Not printed.