Description:

Joseph Grew
Washington, DC, July 18, 1945
Ambassador Joseph Grew On Unconditional Japanese Surrender: "…Japan's militaristic psychology must be discredited in the mind of its people…"
TLS
Very fine content typed letter signed "Joseph C. Grew", two pages, 8" x 10.5", Washington, July 18, 1945. Less than two months before the official signing of the formal documents of surrender on September 2, 1945, Grew as former Ambassador to Japan writes on his current Under Secretary of State letterhead to Methodist Bishop Herbert Welch in New York. Boldly signed and in fine condition.

In part:

"…I have read with interest your letter…and I appreciate your attitude concerning the term 'unconditional surrender.' We believe the unconditional surrender by Japan is essential to the future peace and security of the world. The psychology of the Japanese is such that even if we were to agree to a compromise or negotiated peace they would maintain in the future that they had not been completely defeated - just as the Germans did in 1918 - and we would have a much more difficult situation to deal with in eradicating from their thoughts the idea that this war constitutes only one battle of a long drawn out war which they have visualized as lasting, if necessary, for a hundred years, and have so stated. It is important not only that Japan's militaristic machine be destroyed, but that Japan's militaristic psychology must be discredited in the mind of its people. From my own knowledge of Japanese matters I believe that any retreat from our insistence upon unconditional surrender would be interpreted by the Japanese as an indication to carry the way all the way through until our announced objectives are achieved.

…the President has already given a definition of unconditional surrender. The question as to whether it is going to be desirable still further to define what unconditional surrender will mean and what it will not mean is a matter to which we have given and are giving the most careful study…While our 'terms' are and will remain unconditional surrender, the 'treatment' to be accorded Japan under those terms may obviously be modified in the light of developments…not a single American life should be unnecessarily sacrificed…".

Grew learned, in January 1941, that Japan military forces planned a surprise mass attack at Pearl Harbor in case of 'trouble' with the still-neutral United States. The information was taken seriously by Naval leaders like Harold R. Stark and Husband Kimmel, but largely discredited by Washington. On August 17, Roosevelt warned Japan that America was prepared to take opposing steps if "neighboring countries" were attacked. President Roosevelt, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoye, and Grew were on the verge of arranging a meeting in Alaska, but the parties could not come to an agreement on terms to adopt an independent interpretation of the Tripartite Pact and to refrain from trade discrimination. Roosevelt then required Japan to completely evacuate China without conditions on November 26. The same day the Japanese fleet would depart for Pearl Harbor.

Grew served as ambassador until December 8, 1941, when the U.S. and Japan severed diplomatic ties. In a letter exactly one year from Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1942, he echoed the very sentiments of the letter offered here: "I know Japan; I lived there for ten years. I know the Japanese intimately. The Japanese will not crack. They will not crack morally or psychologically or economically, even when eventual defeat stares them in the face. They will pull in their belts another notch, reduce their rations from a bowl to a half bowl of rice, and fight to the bitter end. Only by utter physical destruction or utter exhaustion of their men and materials can they be defeated." (Grew, "Report from Tokyo", December 7, 1942).

Bishop Herbert Welch (1862-1969) was the longest-serving Methodist minister, serving in many capacities but one in particular significance to this letter, mission bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church for Japan and Korea (1916-1928.)

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.5"
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