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

62 Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy
a world-wide agreement, covering all areas, land, sea, and air,
of the entire world in which it was conceived that the British
Commonwealth and the United States might be jointly
engaged in action against any enemy. On the conclusion of that
agreement with the British, the WPL-46 [U.S. Navy war plan]
was prepared after a great many talks with the Army and was
approved by the Joint Board, the Secretaries of War and Navy,
and by the President. Th e Navy issued their form of that war
plan in May of 1941, and it is my recollection the Army form
of it was issued about August. 25
Turner wrote further,
Th e plan contemplated a major eff ort on the part of both the
principal associated Powers against Germany, initially. It was
felt in the Navy Department, that there might be a possibility
of war with Japan without the involvement of Germany, but
at some length and over a considerable period, this matter was
discussed and it was determined that in such a case the United
States would, if possible, initiate eff orts to bring Germany into
the war against us in order that we would be enabled to give
strong support to the United Kingdom in Europe. 26
Th us Turner reaffi rmed that the primary goal of the U.S.-British
agreement was to help England and to target Germany.
In complete disregard of the Neutrality Act offi cially in force,
these conversations put the United States defi nitely in Britain’s
camp in her war against Germany.
25 Joint Committee, Pearl Harbor Attack, part 26, p. 264; Turner testimony at
Hart Inquiry; part 15, p. 1485. Pencilled notation on United States-British
Staff Conversations Report cover page: Secretary of the Navy Knox on May
28, 1941, and Secretary of War Stimson on June 2, 1941.
26Joint Committee, Pearl Harbor Attack, part 26, pp. 264–65; Turner testimony
before Hart Inquiry.