Office of the Historian

856D.248/34: Telegram

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

Tokyo, October 10, 1940—10 p.m.
[Received October 10—12:48 p.m.]

969. My Netherlands colleague who keeps constantly in close touch with me has begged me to urge my Government to endeavor to do its utmost to fill orders from the Netherlands East Indies for war materials, especially airplanes, because defensive strength in the Indies is directly in line with the interests of the United States. I pointed out to the Minister the heavy domestic demands on American industries in connection with our own preparedness program but expressed the personal view that the American Government would not fail to give full and sympathetic consideration to the desire of the Netherlands Government.

Sent to the Department. Repeated to Batavia.

Grew