U.S. REJECTED PLAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21977, 22 March 1946, Page 3

U.S. REJECTED PLAN

ATTACK _ON JAPAN BEFORE HAWAII BLOW CABINET TALKS REVEALED (11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 21. The Pearl Harbour Investigation Committee released a statement by the former Secretary for War, Mr, H. L. Stimson. disclosing that President Roosevelt’s Cabinet, nine days before the attack on Pearl Harbour, discussed and rejected an American attack on Japanese forces without further warning, Mr. Stimson related that early on the morning of November 28, 1941, he received information of Japanese movements along the Asiatic coast which were so formidable in character that he visited the White House without delay and suggested three alternatives, first, do nothing; secondly, send an ultimatum; thirdly, fight immediately. President Roosevelt agreed to do nothing was out of the question. The most desirable thing was to take the initiative and attack without warning, as the best defence is offence. On the other hand, it was felt that, from the viewpoint of public opinion, a further warning should be given, notwithstanding the fact that the President had given one in August and the Japanese new southward movement indicated that they intended defiance,

Mr. Stimson said it was decided that we could not attack without a further warning and also decided that President Roosevelt should send a letter to the Emperor. At the same time, the President would deliver a special message to Congress pointing out what America would have to do to meet the Japanese menace. However, this course was not followed because it was later learned that the Japanese were landing in Indochina rather than going into the Gulf of Siam. This appeared to give us some respite, since it indicated the Japanese were not invading Thailand immediately.