Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Supplement 1, The World War, Volume II

File No. 763.72112/8985

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Morris)

[Telegram]

Washington, June 25, 1918, 6 p.m.

From War Trade Board:

57. Referring Denby’s¹ report May 7² approved by Consul General at Yokohama, please suspend all activities in Japan for the compilation by naval attaché, commercial attaché, or our consuls, of list of suspect or untrustworthy firms in Japan beyond the list of local enemy traders compiled by the Japanese Government. Knowledge of such activities by our representatives might seriously embarrass negotiations pending in Washington with Japanese Embassy to secure general Japanese cooperation with American and Allied Governments for common policy toward enemy firms throughout neutral countries.

Lansing

1. Charles Denby, special assistant of the Department, making investigations for the Department and the War Trade Board for licensing exports to the Far East.
2. Not printed.