US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

146 Amphibians Came To Conquer
The march:
Welcome you men with hearts so true
America’s best—America’s pride
You show that tho the winds blow
That peace and goodwill the storm can ride.
Upon arrival, Ambassador Grew had informed Captain Turner that he
was trying hard to facilitate the State Department’s purposes of the visit,
and to accomplish these, he felt it necessary to channel the Japanese people’s
enthusiasm and wave of friendliness for the United States into quiet waters.
Suggested remarks for each occasion upon which Captain Turner was to
speak were handed to him to parrot.” A heavy official party schedule was
established.
The United States Ambassador entertained Captain Turner, the Execu-
tive Officer, Commander Theiss, and seven officers at a dinner which the
Japanese War Minister, General Itagaki, and a chief supporter of the Anti-
Comintern Pact of 1936 attended. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr.
Hachiro Arita, a strong proponent of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere, gave a tea for the Captain and 35 officers, and the Navy Minister,
Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai, later Prime Minister and unsuccessful proponent
of the “go slow” policy in antagonizing the United States, gave a full dress
Japanese dinner for the Captain and 20 officers. This party was much
enjoyed as were other courtesies extended by the Japanese Navy.’s
Captain Turner played his delicate part with a skill which pleased the
American Ambassador. Speeches with every meaningless, friendly redundant
word of condolence or of thanks carefully chosen were endless. Sprigs of
cherry blossoms were handed to Captain Turner at all functions. The
Imperial Family cabled President Roosevelt a message of appreciation.
Mr. Arita said on one occasion:
Sympathy opens the hearts of men. The spontaneous expression of sympathy
of the American people for Japan has so impressed the Japanese people that
their gratitude is beyond description.a~
On another occasion these non-prophetic words flowed from Mr. Arita:
We are fully aware that nothing must be left undone to preserve and to
strengthen the happy relations already existing between America and Japan,
which have been maintained unbroken throughout the years since the memo-
“ Gladney.
a Ibid.
u Arita, Speech, Tokyo Advertiser, 21 Apr. 1939.