The Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the
American Embassy at Tokyo and, with regard to the cases enumerated in
the statement (Recent interference with American rights and interests in
Japan and areas in China under Japanese military occupation) handed by
Secretary of State Hull to Ambassador Nomura at Washington on August 13,
1941, has the honor to state that these questions were promptly referred
to the Japanese authorities concerned for investigations into the actual
circumstances thereof, and that, moreover, those authorities have been
advised to exercise particular care to prevent the various regulatory
measures being applied unreasonably or unnecessarily. According to
reports which have [Page 918] been
received to date, the matters mentioned in the statements in question
can be divided in general into the following categories: (1) Those which
arose through some misunderstanding and are without basis in fact; (2)
those in which, although the condition described in the statement
existed temporarily, due to special circumstances, the original
condition was later restored; and (3) those in which the continuation of
the condition described in the statement is still unavoidable because of
the necessities of the current situation but in which consideration is
being given to restoring promptly the original situation if those
necessities cease to exist.
The details of those cases which have been clarified are reported to the
American Embassy in Tokyo as follows, with the request that the
information be transmitted to the American Secretary of State.
Addendum
1. Question of travel restriction in North China.
Because of military necessity, travel permits issued by the Japanese
Army are necessary in North China for travel of third power
nationals including Americans. When Japan and China took
counter-measures in connection with the application by the American
Government at the end of July of the freezing regulations to
Japanese and Chinese assets, there were, by mistake, some instances
in certain areas in North China of the issuance of travel permits to
British and American nationals being suspended temporarily. This
condition, however, was corrected immediately under instructions
from the central authorities.
2. Question of the prohibition against transportation of hand baggage
at Peitaiho.
It is not a fact that the transportation of hand baggage of Americans
to railway stations is prohibited at Peitaiho. With regard to the
matter of the refusal to receive hand baggage for checking at
railway stations, checking service was suspended for several days as
an emergency measure, but later checking service is understood to
have been resumed in accordance with established procedure.
3. Question of restrictions on travel by American citizens within
Japan.
The imposition of restrictions on the travel of foreigners within
Japan is an unavoidable condition at present but as evidenced by the
fact that facilities recently were accorded to twenty-four American
officials for their travel to Shanghai, the authorities are giving
consideration to means of eliminating such inconvenience so far as
possible. With the exception of one zone, there are generally
speaking no restrictions at the moment on travel in Japan
Proper.
[Page 919]
4. Question of Seizure of Postal matter at Tsingtao.
It is reported as not a fact that postal matter was seized in
Tsingtao.
5. Question of despatch of gendarmes to American oil companies at
Tsingtao.
Although it is stated that the compounds of the Standard-Vacuum and
Texas oil companies, and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company at
Tsingtao, are occupied by the Japanese gendarmerie, it is only to the compound of the
Standard-Vacuum Oil Company that guards of the Japanese gendarmerie were despatched. On the basis of
the information that communists and other disturbing elements were
planning destruction of third power properties for the purpose of
causing international controversy, the Japanese gendarmerie, with the object of protecting American
property, sent a responsible person and an interpreter to the
company on July 28 to consult with and establish liaison with Mr. T.
D. Horps, the company’s plant superintendent, and it was with the
understanding of the company that the guard was despatched.
Moreover, it is understood that the prohibition against smoking by
guards within the company’s establishment is being strictly
observed.
6. Question of the prohibition against furnishing taxis and against
repairing automobiles at Tsingtao.
It is not a fact that the furnishing of taxis to and the repairing of
automobiles for Americans were prohibited. These are matters which
chiefly concern Chinese concerns, but in Tsingtao at present it is
generally extremely difficult to obtain taxis and it is surmised
that this situation has arisen because of the problem of acquiring
gasoline.
7. Question of the prohibition against distribution of coal at
Tsingtao.
It is not a fact that such a prohibition was made.
8. Question of obstructing the distribution of wheat for famine
relief by the American Red Cross at Tsingtao.
The wheat in question was received by the International Relief
Association at the end of July and stored in the warehouse of a
Chinese firm, Hehsingli. Under the asset freezing measures, however,
permission became necessary for its disposition. Although it seems
that this procedure entailed some delay, permission was granted
during the middle of August and therefore it is not a fact that the
distribution of the wheat was obstructed.
9. Question of restrictions on sale of foodstuffs and other articles
by Chinese dealers to American nationals.
Permission is necessary, under the Temporary Special Transaction
Control Law enforced by the North China Political Affairs
Commission, for any transaction involving more than 100 yuan. It is
reported [Page 920] as not true,
however, that instructions have been given prohibiting transactions
involving more than 20 yuan.
10. Question of order for the cancellation of American insurance
policies.
It is reported as not true that such an order for cancellation of
policies was issued.
11. Question of seizure of postal matter at Chefoo.
It is also reported not a fact that postal matter was seized at
Chefoo.
12. Question of American commercial firms at Tientsin being unable to
transport goods by rail.
Railway transportation was suspended temporarily as an emergency
measure, but it is reported that later transportation has been
resumed in accordance with fixed procedure.
13. Question of refusal to accept registered mail matter of American
commercial firms at Tientsin.
As for letters, it is not a fact, and as for parcels only those which
violated the regulations were not accepted.
14. Question of blockade of Cheeloo University and Cheeloo Hospital
at Tsinan.
Since the enforcement of the assets freezing measures, commodities
brought in and out of Cheeloo University and Cheeloo Hospital by
Chinese have been inspected by the Chinese police. The taking out or
bringing in of foodstuffs, daily necessities, and other general
goods, however, are said to be permitted.
15. Question of undue interference with embroidery and drawn work
trade of American commercial firms at Swatow.
Although, owing to the shipping situation, loading on ships has been
somewhat delayed, it is absolutely not a fact that the Japanese
authorities unduly interfered with or exerted pressure to obstruct
such shipments. It is reported, for instance, that 350 tons of drawn
work and embroidery were shipped immediately after the enforcement
of the assets freezing measures.
16. Question of restrictions on the use of English on the telephone
in Japan.
There is no restriction on telephone conversations in foreign
languages within the same city. Only in long distance calls is
conversation restricted to the Japanese language. It was really
necessary, however, from the standpoint of espionage prevention, for
Japan to take this measure. This measure is applied equally to all
languages, other than Japanese, and will be relaxed or withdrawn
promptly when it is recognized that the necessity therefor has
ceased to exist. The policy of immediately abolishing this
restriction within Japan Proper has now been decided upon, and
although revision of the [Page 921]
pertinent laws and ordinances will require some time, in practice
telephone conversations in foreign languages will be permitted from
the evening of September 13.
17. Question of restrictions on the travel of American nuns at
Fushun.
These restrictions are based upon the requirement under Public Peace
Department ordinance “Matters concerning Restriction of Entry,
Sojourn, and Travel of Foreigners”, enacted in Manchoukuo on August
1, that a certificate from the chief of the police station at place
of residence be obtained in advance for the travel of third power
nationals.
18. Question of surveillance of staff members of the American
Consulate at Dairen.
Sentry boxes have been removed by the government offices concerned,
and in other respects the situation is understood to have greatly
improved.
