740.0011 P. W./185: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

570. Tolischus72 tells me that while traveling on a train with two prominent members of the Diet today he told them of a report in New York [Page 132] to the effect that Japan proposed to intercept such American supply ships as might proceed to the Red Sea and that the two Japanese immediately consulted Admiral Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Fleet, who happened to be on the same train. They reported to Tolischus that the Admiral categorically denied any foundation whatever for the story and said that Japan intended to avoid complications in the Pacific and that he proposed to use his entire influence in that direction.

Sent to the Department; repeated to Manila for the Commander-in-Chief.

Grew
  1. Otto D. Tolischus, Tokyo correspondent of the New York Times.