Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume I

693.001Manchuria/15: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, May 3, 1933—noon.
[Received May 3—2:10 a.m.]

89. Last week the correspondent of the New York Times⁴¹ cabled to his paper a statement made to him by Komai, Privy Councilor of Manchukuo, that Manchukuo would apply the principle of the open door only to those countries which recognized Manchukuo’s independence. On the following day Byas cabled to his paper a statement by the spokesman of the Foreign Office to the effect that Komai possessed no influence or authority and that the Japanese Government would never countenance any violations of the open-door principles which she regards as basic in the Far East.

In view of the adverse publicity which has occurred abroad, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs today authorized me to inform my Government officially that Komai spoke without authority and that the principle of the open door in Manchukuo would be strictly maintained.

Grew

41. Hugh Byas, correspondent at Tokyo.