Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

120 Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy
United States is of very great importance” were all thousands of
miles from our shores.
Japan Sets a Deadline for Signing Agreement
—To Save U.S. Relations From Falling into
“Chaotic Condition”
Marshall had told the Joint Board on November 3 that he had
information to the eff ect that on November 5 the Japanese would
decide their course of action. And sure enough! On November
5, we intercepted and read the following November 5 Japanese
message to the Washington embassy:
Because of various circumstances, it is absolutely necessary that
all arrangements for the signing of this agreement be completed
by the 25th of this month. I realize that this is a diffi cult
order, but under the circumstances it is an unavoidable one.
Please understand this thoroughly and tackle the problem of
saving the Japanese-U.S. relations from falling into a chaotic
condition. Do so with great determination and with unstinted
eff ort, I beg of you.
Th is information is to be kept strictly to yourself only. 16
U.S. Cabinet Would Support a Strike
Against Japan if She Attacked the
British or Dutch in Southeast Asia?
It was customary for the president to hold meetings of his
cabinet on Friday mornings, and he held one as usual on Friday,
November 7. Secretary of War Stimson had kept a rather complete
diary for many years, and he continued the practice throughout
his tenure, dictating rather copious notes each morning
before going to his offi ce in the War Department. Following the
16 Ibid., part 12, p. 100, #736, Tokyo to Washington.