Long talk with Berle [1] today. The invasion of the Netherlands
and Belgium will not bring the United States into the war but it
is another stage in the crystallization of American public opinion
against Germany. It is believed that Italy will not come in with
Germany in the next few days but that the next week is likely to
decide Italian policy. It is thought that Italy is trying hard to
get Spain with her, which would gravely menace Gibraltar.

Rumoured here that Britain proposes to land at Curacao Dutch West
Indies to ensure oil refineries against sabotage. They are most
important for British petroleum supplies.

The Secretary of State [2] sent for Lothian [3] today to say that
this would antagonise American opinion on the basis of the Monroe
Doctrine and furthermore would give Japanese excuse for doing the
same thing in the Netherlands East Indies. It is emphasized to me
that we should give Japan no such excuse.

The American fleet is continuing manoeuvres at and west of
Honolulu.

The State Department has no evidence so far that Japan
contemplates any southward move. No signs of any Russian activity.

CASEY