711.93/380½
Memorandum by President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State
Aboard
Presidential Special, October 2,
1937.
I am disturbed by the newspaper story of a few days ago which apparently was issued by the Navy press room, with the approval of the General Board of the Navy and the Chief of Operations. I cannot understand why this statement by Admiral Yamell,78 relating to American policy in China, should have been handled by the Navy press room, nor do I know whether its release had your approval beforehand or not.
Will you let me know confidentially just what happened and whether the announcement was made with your approval or not?
F[ranklin] D. R[oosevelt]