762.9411/78½

The Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Dear Mr. Grew: We have found of great interest the comments contained in your letter to me of September 28 on the subject of Japan’s alliance with the Axis Powers.

With reference to your query as to whether Berlin and Rome were silent during the period you mention, I have made a careful review of the period covered by your telegrams 656 of August 3,92 867 of September 20, noon, and 876 of September 21,93 and find that we did not receive from other sources information which threw light upon the subject. You will readily understand that under existing conditions our representatives at Berlin and Rome are in a difficult position in the matter of keeping in touch with what is going on.

We are continuing to bear in mind the importance of keeping you informed of developments elsewhere affecting Japan so as to assist you in effective reporting, and we appreciate fully how difficult it may be at times for you to evaluate information which may reach you.

Sincerely yours,

M[axwell] M. H[amilton]
  1. Not printed.
  2. Telegram No. 876 not printed.