Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

711.94/1987

The Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck) to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, March 15, 1941.

Dear Mr. Grew: There is enclosed a copy of a memorandum covering the conversation which the Secretary of State had on March 8 with the Japanese Ambassador.⁴² The substance of the memorandum was sent you in the Department’s strictly confidential telegram 163, March 11, 7 p.m.

In the second paragraph of the memorandum of the conversation, you will note reference to Japanese nationals who are seeking to make a contribution to better understanding between the Japanese Government and this Government. The person who appears to be the spokesman of such Japanese now in this country seems to be Mr. Tadao Wikawa, who proceeded to the United States on the same boat as Mr. Donald W. Smith, Assistant Commercial Attaché of the Embassy. The Department is sending you a copy of Mr. Smith’s strictly confidential report of February 25 from Vancouver in regard to the visit of Mr. Wikawa to the United States.

You will recall the approach made to the Department by Mr. M. Kleiman⁴³ (see Department’s instruction 2107 of January 21, 1941⁴⁴) and the exposition by Mr. Kleiman of views on the subject of improving relations between the United States and Japan. Mr. Kleiman, we understand, has close contact with the Japanese Financial Commissioner in New York City. We also understand that Mr. Kleiman and his Japanese associates have made efforts to present their views to the President through unofficial channels. Bishop Walsh of the Maryknoll Mission has also approached the Postmaster General with a plan for bringing about peace in the Pacific area. Mr. Wikawa appears to be in touch with Bishop Walsh and the group which he represents. Mr. Smith’s report indicates that Mr. Wikawa and Colonel Iwakuro may be associated in their activities in this country.

Mr. Hull, Mr. Welles, Mr. Hamilton and I are the only ones in the Department who are aware of these various developments. Information on the subject is being treated here in the strictest confidence. It is therefore requested that the contents of this letter and of the enclosure be made known only to Mr. Dooman.

Yours sincerely,

Stanley K. Hornbeck

42. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 389.
43. See memorandum of January 10 by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, p. 1.
44. Not printed.