393.115/563: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Hankow (Davies) to the Secretary of State
Kiukiang, February 13, 1939—10
p.m.
[Received 11:40 p.m.]
[Received 11:40 p.m.]
- 1.
- I requested Japanese Consul February 9 to make arrangements for me to visit American citizens and property in Kiukiang as impossible to do so without first securing Japanese permission. Visit finally made this morning. Japanese asked nine American residents, all missionaries, gather this morning Methodist Water of Life Hospital. I had expressed a desire to visit Americans separately at respective residences. Present throughout interview which commanding officer Oahu and I had with Americans were two Japanese Army officers and one gendarmerie sergeant.
- 2.
- Under such circumstances Americans were naturally reluctant to speak frankly. I did learn, however: (1) Mrs. J. E. Frick of Seventh Day Adventist Mission was on February 11, while on the way to the Japanese Consulate on business and in possession of a Japanese pass threatened by a drunken Japanese naval sentry who loaded his rifle and pointed it at her. In the firm [formal?] atmosphere of the interview I was not able to get further details but have asked the Japanese to arrange for me to call on Fricks tomorrow; (2) there had been several recent cases of looting American property by Japanese, the only one of which thus far I have a definite report being the Seventh Day Adventist Church pillaged early February of equipment valued 1,500 United States dollars; (3) The American missionaries at Kiukiang are most anxious to join the American businessmen here in associating themselves with the Hankow American Chamber of Commerce’s January request to the American Government for transportation facilities on the Yangtze. No commercial banking nor adequate supply [Page 285] consumers goods available in Kiukiang. Missionaries in need of currency and certain imported supplies. Some have received no mail for 7 months. Two American hospitals running short medicines. (4) Missionaries must secure special permission, not granted during past 2 weeks, to travel between town and oil installations where British gunboat and business community are isolated.
- 3.
- Japanese Army authorities refused me permission visit Andersen, Meyer property (Shanghai’s 102, February 4, 4 p.m.) because it is in special military district. I was permitted visit Standard-Vacuum Oil office only by back door and on condition I did not look out front windows. Today first time Standard Oil Manager permitted visit his office this month.
- 4.
- Stringency of Japanese restrictions at Kiukiang is reported to be due preparations for a spring offensive on Nanchang.
Sent to Hankow. Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai.
Davies