Wilfrid Fleisher

Wilfrid Fleisher was a journalist and editor of the Japan Advertiser, an English language newspaper published in Tokyo, Japan from 1929 to 1940. He was also an Asian affairs reporter for the New York Herald from 1930 to 1940. After the Japanese government shut down the Japan Advertiser in 1940, Fleisher returned to the U.S. where he became an announcer for ABC Radio. He maintained an interest in Japan and published three books on the country: Volcanic Isle, Our Enemy Japan and What to Do with Japan. His papers include press releases and newspaper articles related to Pearl Harbor.

"Digest of Knox Report on the Pearl Harbor Disaster", The New York Times, January 5, 1946

This is the summary of a report created by Frank Knox who was Secretary of the Navy in 1941. Knox wrote the report for President Roosevelt after Knox had inspected Pearl Harbor following the Japanese attack. Knox noted that the Army in Hawaii had been preparing for potential sabotage while the Navy was concerned about possible submarine attack. Neither force had anticipated an air attack.

Resource Identifier
KnoxReport
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 18, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Infamous Prelude to Pearl Harbor" by Arthur Krock, The New York Times Magazine, November 8, 1942

This article, written nearly a year after Pearl Harbor, details the diplomatic activities of the Japanese in the weeks prior to the attack. It speculates that Japanese Special Envoy Saburo Kurusu knew about the attack before he met with American officials on December 7, 1941 and details the personalities involved in the negotiations that preceded Pearl Harbor.

Resource Identifier
InfamousPrelude
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 18, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Short Puts Dec. 7, '41 Blame On War Department, Navy" by Thomas J. Hamilton, The New York Times, January 2, 1946

This article was written after the Roberts Commission investigating Pearl Harbor announced their findings. It discusses the testimony of General Walter Short, who had command of the Army in the Hawaiian Islands prior to and during the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

Resource Identifier
ShortBlame
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 18, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Statement By the Honorable Cordell Hull Before the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack"

This is a lengthy statement by U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull. In it, he outlines the history of U.S. - Japan relations prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He details various incidents where Japanese military actions directly contradicted their diplomatic promises. Hull stresses U.S. efforts to encourage Japan to adopt peaceful policies while Japan continued its aggressive actions.

Resource Identifier
HullStatement
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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U.S. Department of State Press Release No. 584, December 7, 1941

This press release documents the timing of the arrival of the Japanese Ambassador at the office of the U.S. Secretary of State - after the attack on Pearl Harbor had already taken place - and the response of U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull. 

Resource Identifier
PressRelease584
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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U.S. Department of State Press Release No. 585, December 7, 1941

This press release discusses the document handed by the U.S. Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador on November 26, 1941. It details U.S. proposals for resolving Pacific region tensions and includes principles like the importance of territorial integrity and non-interference in domestic affairs, aiming for a peaceful and cooperative international environment. The document reflects efforts to bridge gaps between the U.S. and Japanese positions through mutual agreements​.

Resource Identifier
PressRelease585
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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U.S. Department of State Press Release No. 587, December 7, 1941

This press release details the text of the document handed to the U.S. Secretary of State by the Japanese Ambassador on December 7, 1941 at 2:15pm. In it, Japan declares that "it is impossible to reach an agreement through further negotiations."

Resource Identifier
PressRelease587
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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U.S. Department of State Press Release No. 588, December 7, 1941

This press release is a statement by the U.S. Secretary of State. It declares that "Japan has made a treacherous and utterly unprovoked attack upon the U.S."

Resource Identifier
PressRelease588
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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U.S. Department of State Press Release No. 640, December 15, 1941

This press release covers communications between the U.S. Secretary of State and the Japanese Ambassador in the weeks leading up to Pearl Harbor. It consists of the text of three annexes attached to President Roosevelt's message to Congress, which was delivered on December 15, 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Resource Identifier
PressRelease640
Citation
Wilfrid Fleisher papers, Collection No. 7055, Box 14, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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