125.977/9: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Wilson)
38. Your 31, April 2, 3 p.m., and Department’s March 2, 5 p.m. About May 1 Tuck should communicate informally with local authorities pointing out that Mr. Khavin’s communication of February [Page 796] 20 last25 will now necessitate closing of office and departure unless local authorities are prepared to afford Consulate for the future the privileges and immunities essential to the conduct of consular business. The chief of these are, 1st, protection of the persons of the Consul and his staff; 2d, inviolability of Consulate and archives; 3d, freedom of communication with Consul’s own government and its other official agencies abroad; 4th, intercourse with local authorities and right of interposition on behalf of American interests. Tuck may say that Consulate will continue to function as long as these essential conditions are maintained and there is sufficient consular business to justify the maintenance of an office from the point of view of the United States. The question of obtaining an official exequatur from Moscow is involved in the larger question of the official recognition of the Moscow authorities by the United States and that Tuck may say he is not authorized to discuss.
If formal assurances are not forthcoming well before May 20 Tuck should close office and depart pursuant to Department’s No. 19, of March 2, 5 p.m. Do you apprehend that he is likely to encounter difficulties with the local authorities incident to departure and the removal of the consular property?
For your information and that of Tuck: Thomas, Vice Consul at Chita, has been ordered to close office there without delay and to proceed to Harbin. This decision has been taken because of lack of consular business at Chita and the need for Thomas’ services elsewhere and he has been authorized so to inform the local authorities. Your 40, April 20, 5 p.m. received after foregoing drafted. Tuck should follow instructions given above. Details of his own program approved including extra month’s pay for Russians “as usually required in dismissing employes.”