800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/143: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
107. The authorities of the Navy Department and the relatives of Miss Earhart express the opinion that if Miss Earhart’s plane was forced down on the ocean it may have drifted, because of the prevailing currents, in the general direction of the Gilbert Islands.
In view of the urgency of the time element involved please endeavor to advise the appropriate authorities of the Japanese Government immediately of these facts and state to them that because of the generous offer of assistance tendered by the Japanese Government and because of the continuing interest which the Japanese Government has taken in the search for Miss Earhart’s plane, your Government suggests that if any suitable vessels or airplanes of the Japanese Government are located in or near the Gilbert Islands they may be asked to be on the lookout for Miss Earhart’s plane.
Please telegraph such reply as may be made to you by the Japanese Government.