811.2300/9: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 30—3:28 p.m.]
179. Department’s no. 258, November 27, 5 p.m., was received last night. About a week ago, having noted that no reply had ever been made to the Embassy’s note carrying out Department’s mail instruction of July 18, I informally requested the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs to give me his frank personal opinion on the probable attitude of the Japanese authorities in connection with the proposed air flight around the world insofar as it concerned Japan. The Vice Minister told me quite frankly, a few days later, that the War Department did not look with favor on the particular flights proposed, but if the American Government would not urge the Government of Japan to grant permission for American officers to visit Japan on such an expedition it was his personal belief that the Japanese War Department would not raise objections to the projected flight across Japanese territory. He inquired if the American authorities had in mind a route across Japanese territory. After I had talked with the military attaché of this Embassy I handed the Vice Minister the information prepared by the War Department at Washington, showing the tentative route. He promised to expedite the decision, and I hope that I may receive a definite answer tomorrow.