Answer: The phrase "strewn along the way" generally means that objects or items have been scattered or distributed in a disorderly fashion along a path or route. The term "strewn" implies that the items have been thrown, scattered, or otherwise dispersed in an irregular and haphazard manner. The phrase can be used to describe a physical path or trail that has been littered with objects, such as debris or obstacles, which impede progress or make the path difficult to navigate.
It can also be used more metaphorically to describe a situation where various events or experiences have occurred at different points in time, leading up to a current situation. In this sense, the phrase might suggest that the events or experiences are scattered in a disorderly way, without a clear or linear progression, and that they have collectively contributed to the current state of affairs. Overall, the phrase "strewn along the way" conveys a sense of disorder or disarray, with objects or events distributed in a seemingly random or chaotic fashion along a path or route.
Explanation: In this context, "strewn along the way" means that warnings were given at various points throughout the discussions with Nomura, the Japanese ambassador to the United States, about the unofficial and informal nature of the talks. The phrase suggests that these warnings were scattered or interspersed throughout the conversations and did not follow a clear or consistent pattern.
The use of the word "strewn" implies that the warnings were not the main focus or purpose of the conversations, but rather were scattered or spread out as a reminder that the talks had not yet progressed to the stage of official negotiation. Overall, the phrase "strewn along the way" suggests that the warnings were not emphasized heavily, but rather were presented as a reminder or caution throughout the discussions with Nomura.