740.0011 European War 1939/10934: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 15—6:25 a.m.]
679. Embassy’s 673, May 14, 5 p.m.,52 paragraph numbered 6. I replied to the letter received from Mr. Matsuoka last evening in a letter in my handwriting today as follows.
[“] Dear Mr. Minister: Many thanks for your letter received last night. It is my belief that the American Government is exercising careful discretion and that the course which it is following is eminently [Page 190] reasonable both in appearance and in fact, but in the face of great provocation our people, as history shows, have not been and are not now inclined to allow an over cautious attitude to interfere with vigorous action in defense of their rights and legitimate interests or in following what they conceive to be the dictates of humanity.
I naturally regret the grave and far-reaching implications of your Excellency’s remarks in our conversation yesterday but I shall hope to have further talks with you in due course.
In once again expressing my appreciative thanks for your letter, I am very sincerely yours, Joseph C. Grew.”