740.0011 P. W./68: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 12—7 a.m.]
51. Following is a summary of a telegram which my British colleague sent to the Foreign Office at London on January 7:
Germans in Tokyo discussing the immediate future of relations with Japan emphasize the following points: The appointment of General [Page 14] Oshima23 to Berlin is fully supported by the Japanese Navy and is primarily strategic in objective; about the middle or later part of February coincident with attempted German invasion of the British Isles, Japan is to attack in the south, possibly Burma, “to knock out” the British Empire; action is to be taken before United States is prepared and so quickly that the United States will not be given time to make decision for or against intervention—United States in any event would face dilemma of deciding between military operations in Atlantic and Pacific. Oshima may also carry Japanese proposals to Russia, possibly concessions in China, since Tatekawa24 at Moscow has failed to accomplish anything.
According to the British Embassy’s informant who is fairly reliable, the Japanese Navy is confident of initial success in a war with the United States in the South Seas.