File No. 3513.
The Acting Secretary of
State to Chargé Carter.
Department of State,
Washington, January 7,
1907.
No. 366.]
Sir: I inclose a letter from Charles A. L.
Reed, chairman of the committee on medical legislation of the American
Medical Association, bringing to the department’s notice alleged
discrimination
[Page 554]
against the
graduates of American medical schools in Hongkong and other British
territory in the Orient.
You will make appropriate inquiry and report to the department regarding
the specific discrimination complained of in the inclosure.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Reed to the
Secretary of State.
American Medical Association,
Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26, 1906.
Dear Sir: The attention of this office has
been called to the fact that, in Hongkong and other British
territory in the Orient, the graduates of American medical schools
are not permitted to practice, but that such privilege is extended
to the graduates of Japanese medical schools. The reasons given for
the exclusion of American medical practitioners is that they are
graduated on a four years’ course instead of a five years’ course of
instruction, such as is required in the medical schools of Great
Britain This would be a very tenable ground if, as represented to
this office, it were not true that the Japanese schools require but
four years for graduation. If this is true, the prohibition against
American medical practitioners amounts to an unfair discrimination,
and one which involves the prestige of the entire American medical
profession.
I have the honor to request on behalf of the American Medical
Association that you kindly ascertain the exact facts relative to
this situation and inform this office of the results of your
investigation; and, furthermore, that you take all necessary steps
to protect the material interests and the prestige of the American
medical profession against such discrimination as you may find to
exist.
Respectfully, yours,
Charles H. L. Reed,
Chairman of the Committee on Medical
Legislation.
