740.0011 Pacific War/40
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The British Ambassador came in at his request, having just returned from London. He referred to the Far Eastern situation with apprehension, saying that he believed the Japanese were likely soon to attack Singapore. We dwelt briefly on the general situation in the Far East as it has developed thus far. I did not undertake to specify just what the future plans of this Government in that area would or might be from month to month and week to week, but added that he knew the various steps in our program thus far, which contemplated a firm and resolute policy toward Japan, both diplomatically and militarily, and aid to China at the same time.
The main point the Ambassador raised was that there should be conferences between the naval experts of our two Governments with respect to what each would or might do in case of military outbreaks on the part of Japan. I said that, of course, there could be no agreements entered into in this respect, but that there should undoubtedly be collaboration with the view of making known to each other any and all information practicable in regard to what both might have in mind to do, and when and where, in case of a military movement by Japan in the South or in some other direction.
The Ambassador said that the information he had gathered in London was that, while our Naval Attaché, Admiral Ghormley, was a good man, he consistently declined to discuss possible future plans on the ground that he had absolutely no authority. This brought him back again to the question of military consultation among appropriate [Page 221] officials of our two Governments in regard, for instance, to the military situation that Singapore will present from all standpoints until the conclusion of the war. He added that some naval experts felt that the American Navy might largely make its base at Singapore, and that that would safeguard the entire situation. He expressed the view that the fleet at Singapore could reach Japan much sooner than a Japanese fleet could reach the Pacific Ocean and that, therefore, there would be no risk involved. I merely remarked that that was a matter for experts to pass on, and he said he hoped there would be discussion between his and our high naval officials with respect to all phases of the Pacific situation.