893.102 Tientsin/608
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 10, 1940.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to despatch no. 4247, November 20, 1939, with which was transmitted a copy of the Embassy’s memorandum [Page 257] to the Foreign Office, dated November 15, 1939,56 concerning the restrictive measures enforced by the Japanese authorities at Tientsin and the resultant difficulties experienced by American nationals and American business enterprises. The Embassy is in receipt of note no. 193, Asia I, dated December 4, 1939, a copy of a translation of which is enclosed,57 in reply to those representations.
In this reply it is stated that the control measures instituted by the Japanese army are unavoidable and based on the necessity of maintaining peace and order. Efforts to limit the “inconveniences which might be experienced as a result of these measures by third-Power nationals of good intention” are being made. The special passes which are issued to Chinese employees of American business firms are for the purpose of limiting inconveniences. Despite the fact “that local American authorities stated in the latter part of July that 150 such passes would probably be sufficient” some 60 more passes were requested on November 17, 1939. These, at first, were refused but 32 were issued on November 22 as a result of negotiations between the Japanese and American officials in Tientsin. As a result of the disaster in North China last autumn the roads into the British and French Concessions are damaged and traffic at the International Bridge is congested. The opening of two roads into the British and French Concessions and the First Special Ward alleviated the congestion and further efforts are being made to restore normal conditions. It is stated also that the Japanese authorities are giving “special friendly consideration in regard to the supplying of coal for the British and French Concessions”, and there is added the hope that “American nationals in that area will on their part extend further sympathetic cooperation towards these efforts of the Imperial authorities”.
Respectfully yours,