394.115 Panay/123: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16—2:05 p.m.]
645. Department’s 347, December 15, 7 p.m.20f We have been receiving all day a succession of Japanese individuals and deputations who have called to express regret over the Panay disaster. We appreciate also receiving a large number of letters.
Cash donations to Americans in the disaster are being brought in or sent to the Embassy and we hear that the newspapers and various Government departments are receiving donations for transmission to us. A delicate problem is thus being presented. In those cases where donations were brought to us in person we have courteously declined acceptance but donations are also being sent by mail including some sent anonymously which therefore cannot be returned. We realize that the acceptance of the donations for the purpose for which they are offered might prejudice the principle of indemnification for which the Japanese Government has assumed liability. On the other hand the donations are all of trivial amounts so that sentiment is chiefly involved in the problem and to return the donations might give rise to a misunderstanding of our attitude. Logical grounds for refusal are difficult to explain to people who know of no other way to express their regrets and sympathy over the disaster.
It is suggested that one way out of the difficulty would be to accept the donations if the donors are agreeable to the money being sent to the American Red Cross for relieving distress among Americans in China.
We would welcome the Department’s early instructions in the matter.
- Not printed.↩