894c.111/16 Telegram
The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:25 p.m.]
360. Your Oct. 28, 6 p.m. Following is text my note to Japanese Minister:
“I have the honor to refer to note addressed by Dr. Reinsch to Baron Hayashi on April 24th, 1918 by which was conveyed my Government acquiescing in the application to American citizens in the South Manchurian Railway zone of certain passport regulations of the Japanese Government made temporarily expedient by the condition of the war. I am directed to inform Your Excellency that, as [Page 41] my Government [is] convinced the reasons for the continuance of this temporary war time inspection on Japanese railways in China have now ceased to exist, it therefore desires to discontinue its temporary acquiescence in application to [of] Japanese passport regulations to American citizens on Japanese managed railways in China. I am accordingly taking steps to inform American consuls of the withdrawal of American Government acquiescence in the further application of these regulations”.
Japanese Minister stated he has referred matter to his Government; it is not known whether Japanese Government will consent. Japanese Minister takes the stand American Government did not assent to these regulations but was merely informed of them. He requests that the Legation’s notification to consuls be postponed until matter has been considered by his Government, as otherwise conflicts are certain to arise. I have consented to defer action pending receipt of Department’s further instructions.