793.94111/97a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt, at Sea
1. Ambassador Grew cables today that according to statements made to military officers of our Embassy in widely separated Japanese military quarters the Japanese Government will issue tomorrow or the day after a declaration of war. Shall we send neutrality proclamation and other drafts for you to sign in blank and return without waiting further, or shall we delay sending them until declaration of war is announced, in case it should be announced? The latter step would probably be entirely practicable should you so decide since we would automatically enter upon a state of general neutrality in case of war declaration by Japan.
Matter can probably be handled satisfactorily either way, or preferably you might have the papers on hand and in case of war declaration take action upon them and return them to Washington by air mail.