[Telegram: Paraphrase]
TOKYO, November 17, 1941-8 p.m.
[Received November 17-2:09 p.m.]
1814. Referring to Embassy's previous telegram No. 1736 of November 3, 3 p.m.,
final sentence, and emphasizing the need to guard against sudden Japanese naval
or military actions in such areas as are not now involved in the Chinese theater
of operations. I take into account the probability of the Japanese exploiting
every possible tactical advantage, such as surprise and initiative. Accordingly
you are advised of not placing the major responsibility in giving prior warning
upon the Embassy staff, the naval and military attaches included, since in Japan
there is extremely effective control over both primary and secondary military
information. We would not expect to obtain any information in advance either
from personal Japanese contacts or through the press; the observation of military
movements is not possible by the few Americans remaining in the country, concentrated
mostly in three cities (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe); and with American and other
foreign shipping absent from adjacent waters the Japanese are assured of the
ability to send without foreign observation their troop transports in various
directions. Japanese troop concentrations were reported recently by American
consuls in Manchuria and Formosa, while troop dispositions since last July's
general mobilization have, according to all other indications available, been
made with a view to enabling the carrying out of new operations on the shortest
possible notice either in the Pacific southwest or in Siberia or in both.
We are fully aware that our present most important duty perhaps is to detect
any premonitory signs of naval or military operations likely in areas mentioned
above and every precaution is being taken to guard against surprise. The Embassy's
field of naval or military observation is restricted almost literally to what
could be seen with the naked eye, and this is negligible. Therefore, you are
advised, from an abundance of caution, to discount as much as possible the likelihood
of our ability to give substantial warning.
GREW
Source: U.S., Department of State, Publication 1983, Peace and War: United States Foreign Policy, 1931-1941 (Washington, D.C.: U.S., Government Printing Office, 1943), pp. 786-87
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