Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1931, The Far East, Volume III

800.79611 Pangborn-Herndon Flight/88: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Acting Secretary of State

Tokyo, August 30, 1931—5 p.m.
[Received August 30—9:15 a.m.]

129. My telegram No. 128, August 27, 3 p.m.³

1. I had another opportunity the other evening to discuss the Herndon-Pangborn case with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who suggested that I speak directly with the Minister of Communications who was also present. I explained to the latter that the case was receiving much public attention in the United States. He said that he realized it and that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had been urging him to come to a speedy decision. He said that he had to consult the Army and the Navy and that there were a number of legal points involved. One point was that a Japanese pilot who has been convicted of offenses against the aviation laws and regulations is as a matter of administrative practice deprived of his flying license for at least 3 months. There was some opposition of [to?] granting more favorable treatment to foreigners than to Japanese. I said that I hoped he would be able to come to a decision soon. He said that he would make every effort to get a favorable decision as he understood the need for early action. He wound up the conversation by saying “it won’t take long”, by that I understand he means about September 1st.⁴

2. In view of these conversations I have not presented the note referred to in my letter and the Department’s telegram.⁵

Forbes

3. Not printed.
4. The airplane was released September 2, 1931.
5. Neither printed.