740.0011 Pacific War/659: Telegram

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

1868. The Embassy has received Foreign Office note No. 129, American 1, dated November 27, which is translated as follows:

“Excellency: I have the honor to state that according to a report from the Japanese naval authorities, an American airplane flew over Garanbi on the southernmost tip of Taiwan Island at 12:30 p.m. November 20, 1941, and after circling at an altitude of 2,000 meters flew away southward at 12:45 p.m. the same day.

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It is believed that the Japanese Government cannot overlook such a violation of Japanese territory by an airplane and it is therefore requested that the matter be brought to the attention of the United States authorities concerned. Also I particularly bespeak Your Excellency’s solicitude particularly [as] the recurrence of such incidents at this time when the international situation is tense and the untoward events to which they might give rise are unpredictable.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. Shigenori Togo, Minister for Foreign Affairs.”

Sent to the Department only.

Grew