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Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Minister of the Japanese Navy Kato Tomosaburo

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[OAT?]-1735

OPERATIONS

Nov 12, 1918

ALUSNA TOKYO

For the Minister of Marine of Japan colon From the day that illustrious American Commodore Perry visited Japan1 the most cordial relations have existed between the American and Japanese Navies period We rejoice together in the great victory achieved period It permanently cements our friendshipsigned Josephus Daniels 19012

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Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identifier “MBH” appears in the top-left corner. Daniels sent similar congratulatory cables to the Italian and French navies. See, Daniels to Paolo Thaon di Revel, and Daniels to Georges Leygues, 12 November 1918, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: On two visits – one in 1853 and the other in 1854 – Commo. Matthew C. Perry forced the Japanese government to abandon its 200+ years policy of near-total isolationism. He compelled Japan, at gunpoint, to open itself to foreign trade. John H. Schroeder, Matthew Calbraith Perry: Antebellum Sailor and Diplomat (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2001): 165-169, 184-248.

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