861.24/569: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo
, August 27,
1941—7 p.m.
[Received August 27—10:55 a.m.]
[Received August 27—10:55 a.m.]
1322. Embassy’s 1319, August 27, 4 p.m.
[Here follows report based upon memorandum by the Counselor of Embassy in Japan, August 27, 1941, printed in Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, volume II, page 568.]
- 3.
- In view of our analysis of the situation in Japan presented in the Embassy’s telegram under reference, we do not believe that the picture drawn by the Foreign Minister is unduly exaggerated. I cannot recommend that the tankers be recalled (the Counselor said to Mr. Terasaki that he did not expect that I would make such recommendation), but I believe that the proposal that the tankers follow the longer route above suggested appears to be reasonable. In the absence of factors in the situation unknown to me I trust that in view of what we believe to be an approaching crisis the administration will give the most thorough consideration to this latter suggestion so far as the suggestion is not found to be actually impractical or to involve a sacrifice of principle, and in the event of a favorable decision that I be directed to inform the Foreign Minister in that sense.
- 4.
- Mr. Terasaki indicated that the Foreign Minister would probably ask me to call on him tomorrow (August 28) or the day after.
Grew