393.115/1187
The American Embassy in Japan to the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The American Embassy presents its compliments to the Imperial Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has the honor to inform the Ministry that it has received a report from the American Consul at Tsingtao stating that on July 28, 1941, Japanese armed forces occupied properties of American firms in Tsingtao, including those of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company, the Texas Company, and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, and prohibited the removal of stocks and property therefrom. A later report from the American Consul at Tsingtao stated that the Japanese occupation of properties of American firms in Tsingtao was still maintained on July 29.
In transmitting the foregoing report to the Ministry, the American Embassy has the honor to request that steps be taken to effect the immediate withdrawal of any forces which, under orders from the Japanese military authorities, may still be in occupation of American properties in Tsingtao, and that stringent instructions be issued with a view to preventing the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.
The American Embassy wishes again to invite the attention of the Ministry to the fact that the American Government views with serious concern actions constituting increased Japanese interference with American rights and interests in China.