THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
October 9, 1940
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Orders have been issued for these measures to be taken
at once:
1. Call the organized Naval and Marine Reserves.
2. Call Fleet Reserve, Navy and Marine, selective
basis.
3. Lay nets and booms for drill purposes.
The following steps in preparation for war can be taken
to impress the Japanese with the seriousness of our
preparations:
1. Army send reinforcement to Hawaii if contempled.
2. Presidential proclamation for Maritime Commission
to requisition merchant ships, in order to
3. Take over tankers, transports, auxiliaries, and
begin to assemble Train on West Coast.
4. Coast Guard transfer to Navy.
5. Fill up garrisons of defense battalions in 14th
District outlying bases.
6. Presidential proclamation establishing defensive
sea areas.
7. Withdraw nationals from China. (Inconsistent with
getting merchant ships out of danger).
8. Plan for evacuation of families out of Hawaii later Panama.
9. Preparations regarding seizure German and Japanese
merchant vessels in ports and near our coasts.