Page 2 Dr. Charles J. Smith Doubt find his way into the teaching profession. I would like to suggest that his name be considered for an award of an appropriate degree from Roanoke College. Mr. Ballantine entered the Foreign Service of the United States in June 1909 and thereafter served continuously to the present date at various diplomatic and consular posts and in the Department of State. From 1909 until 1928 he served continuously either at the American Embassy at Tokyo or in consular posts in the Japanese Empire. From 1928 to 1930 he served in the Department of State. From 1930 to 1934 he served as Consul General at Canton, China; from 1934 to 1936 he served as Consul General at Mukden, Manchuria; from July to December 1936 he served temporarily at the American Embassy in Tokyo as First Secretary; and fro March 1937 to date he served continuously in the Department of State. Up to September 20, 1945 he was on duty in the Office of Far Easter Affairs of the Department of State; between December 1944 and September 1945 he was Director of that Office. Since September 1945 he has been Special Assistant to the Secretary of State. My work in this case has increased my appreciation and respect for Secretary Hull. We have heard the criticism that our State Department had no Far Easter policy, but when I study our diplomatic correspondence in the light of top secret information now available to us from Japanese sources, I am astounded with the wisdom and foresight exercised by Mr. Hull. Our diplomatic correspondence was the product of several persons, chief of whom was Mr. Ballantine. At the writing of this letter Mr. Ballantine is on cross-examination by defense counsel, and I think we can justly say that he has been a model witness and that his calm, dignified and restrained answers to questions should increase Japanese respect for men in high office in our country. Mr. Ballantine speaks Japanese fluently and is a student of Japanese history and culture. He has written a book on the language which I believe is used extensively by Americans studying the Japanese language. I have just read the manuscript of a book being written by Mr. Ballantine on Japan, and I believe when it is completed it will be one of the most instructive and interesting accounts written on the subject. I do not know what his educational background has been other than the fact that he is a graduate of one of the good northern colleges. I do not know who is on the committee of the Trustees this year for the selection of candidates for awards so I will appreciate it if you will mention this matter to them, and if it appears there