311.9454 Tatuta Maru/6
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State
The Japanese Ambassador called to see me this evening.
I explained to the Ambassador the reasons why Mr. Acheson and officials of the Treasury and Justice Departments had requested Mr. Iguchi [Page 271] of the Japanese Embassy to call upon them yesterday afternoon in connection with the libel actions brought by private individuals in the United States against the Japanese steamer now in San Francisco. I explained that these actions Vere brought by private individuals and that the statements I had officially made to the Ambassador regarding the willingness of this Government to grant prompt clearance to the vessel were in no wise modified. I stated that I thought it extremely important that the Japanese Embassy consult competent counsel in order to take the measures which might be necessary to expedite action concerning these libel actions and that the appropriate officials of this Government, either in Washington or in San Francisco, would be glad to be helpful to the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese Consulate General regarding this question. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for what I said.