894c.111/13: Telegram

The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of State

313. Your 268 October 7, 3 p.m. Learn British Legation has received inquiry from the British Government and Great Britain heartily recommending abolition war time passport control as needless and irritating. French Legation in receipt of no instructions and acquiesce in the continued Japanese control. This is quite in line with French Legation’s present pro-Japanese policy. If [May] not I address note to Japanese Minister referring to letter of Reinsch to Hayashi April 24th, 1918 and state that the American Government meant termination of the war which made control temporarily expedient, now considers control terminated and is so advising American consular officers and American travellers.

It is respectfully suggested that Hayashi’s statement May 13, 1918 paragraph two constitutes infringement American treaty rights and should be protested on the ground that Japanese have no right to exercise police or passport jurisdiction over Americans in railway outlets.

[Crane]