Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

811.3362i/13: Telegram

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

Tokyo, July 3, 1936—11 a.m.
[Received July 3—1:50 a.m.]

146. Department’s 83, June 25, noon.

1. I have made an appointment to see the Foreign Minister on July 8th, ostensibly to discuss various routine matters and shall take that occasion to broach the subject under reference.

2. Unless the Department perceives objections I believe that it might be helpful on my own initiative, and as a talking point, to call the Minister’s attention at that interview to the increasing difficulty met by our Consuls in Japan in obtaining ordinary and customary commercial information due to restrictive measures by the military. The situation in that respect is growing steadily worse. An approach to this subject could be opened by a reference to the Minister’s recent appeal to the prefectural Governors to accord greater facilities and courtesies, and to impose fewer restrictions relating to foreigners in Japan.

3. Please instruct.⁵⁸

Grew

58. The Department expressed approval in telegram No. 88, July 6, noon.