393.1115/3151
The American Embassy in Japan to the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs 5
Aide-mémoire
More than three months have elapsed since the occupation of Nanking by Japanese military forces. The areas of hostilities have in that [Page 762] interval moved to substantial distances from that city, and there is at this time no conceivable danger which would of itself make it unwise for Americans to reside there. Notwithstanding these facts the Japanese military authorities continue to impose restrictions which in effect prevent American missionaries and business men, with important interests in Nanking, from returning to that city.
The only explanation thus far presented by Japanese officials for the rigid restrictions placed by the Japanese military authorities upon the return to Nanking of Americans and other foreigners is that, from a military viewpoint, conditions are not yet such as to permit foreigners returning. According to the Japanese Consul General at Nanking, there are approximately six hundred Japanese civilians in Nanking. This number, which is believed to be far greater than before the opening of hostilities, includes a considerable number of women and children. There are at least thirteen shops of various kinds operated by Japanese which sell to Chinese and foreigners and cannot be classified as shops for military purposes. Japanese ships make trips every five days from Shanghai to Nanking, and although the Japanese authorities affirm that these vessels carry only military supplies, it is a fact that supplies for the shops operated by Japanese civilians are included in their cargo. It is also known that Japanese civilians and some Chinese civilians have travelled on these vessels. Japanese and Chinese civilians have also been permitted to travel to Shanghai on the military train.
The attention of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been invited both orally and in writing to the need for American citizens being permitted to return to Nanking, along with other places in Central China, to inspect their properties with a view to assessing damages which might have been caused by Japanese military operations. In view of the fact that Japanese nationals in considerable number have been permitted to return to Nanking, the explanation given by the Japanese military authorities for the placing of restrictions upon the return of American citizens is not valid. It is, therefore, requested that the Japanese Government will cause to be promptly removed these and other restrictions incompatible with the assurances repeatedly given by the Japanese Government that American rights and interests in China will be respected.
- Handed by the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (Horinouchi) on April 4, 1938.↩