394.115 Panay/282: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14—5 a.m.]
27. Our 694, December 29, 10 a.m.27a Prince Tokugawa called on me this morning and said that the delay in dealing with the question of the disposal of the Panay sympathy donations has been occasioned by the absence from Tokyo of people which he wished to consult, notably Count Kabayama who is to return at the end of this week. Prince Tokugawa proposed to form a Japanese committee to deal with the fund and will endeavor to make specific arrangements for receiving the fund early next week and to make a public announcement at that time. He states that he himself fully understands the attitude of our Government but fears that some of the donors may resent the use of [Page 554] their donations for purposes other than the specific purpose for which they were given. I pointed out that the public announcement should aim to make the situation as clear as possible and that if any of the donors then wished to withdraw their donations, this could still be done.
We have constantly endeavored to hasten the decision but in such matters the tendency in Japan is to move slowly and no efforts on our part could have brought earlier results. We now have some $5,000 in the fund but contributions have almost ceased. I hope very much to be able to arrange for the transfer of the money next week and shall keep the Department informed.
Repeated to Shanghai.
- Not printed.↩