Page 2 of
Enclosure no. 2 to despatch no. 148
American Embassy, Lima, February 7, 1949           UNCLASSIFIED


my car and go see him.  In the interview which we had I explained
to him clearly and faithfully all that I knew, without omitting the
least detail.  The gravity of my revelations were grasped by the
United States diplomat who immediately sent a cable to President
Roosevelt referring to him what I had just brought to his attention.
My intervention went no farther because naturally I was able to go
No farther.  Then events happened rapidly and the seventh of December
produced--at the amazement of the world--the attack on Pearl Harbor,
as had been predicted by my valet and Professor Yoshuda.

     "Then, in the course of time I know--through the investigation
initiated in Washington--that the despatch of Ambassador Grew to
President Roosevelt had been communicated to the Secretary of the
Navy; from there to the General Staff and from there to the Admiral
in charge of the base at Pearl Harbor, who finally, after nine days,
replied that he discounted the information as only a rumor."

     It is thus that Peru lent a great service to the Union, fulfilling
with the precepts of a good neighbor, but which, unfortunately did
not find the necessary echo.  The story of Ambassador Rivera Schreiber
unquestionably brings to mind what suffering and what losses could
have been spared the North American people if the information of the
Peruvian diplomat had been taken into account.  How it might have been
possible to cause Japan to fall into its own trap and eliminate its
fleet and thus the war.

    Various books have been written on Pearl Harbor, Ambassador
Rivera Schreiber told us.  "Look:" "This is Pearl Harbor!" by
Walter Millis.  "The Memories of Cordell Hull", and various others
which he piled on the table.  "All those," added our interviewer,
"confirm the fact in writing.  A few days ago, passing through New
York, a multitude of reporters accosted me with questions and I
told them what I have just finished telling, but they did not confirm
it in writing--perhaps they forgot--the importence of the service
which Peru, through a diplomatic official, gave to the United States
of North America.  However, upon passing through New York I received
warm demonstrations of appreciation from distinguished persons of
various North American circles which elicit my gratitude."








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