793.003/888: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
384. Shanghai’s 1235, December 27, 2 p.m. The Department desires that, unless you perceive strong objection, on the occasion of your next call upon the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, you make reference casually and as upon your own initiative to reports of statements at a Japanese press conference at Shanghai on December 27 to the effect that Japanese authorities there assert that Japanese military law is applicable and will be applied to extraterritorial foreigners in certain relationships with the Japanese military; and that, without inquiring whether there is basis for this report and without in [Page 427] any way intimating that you or your Government take it seriously, you impart to Hirota the suggestion that your Government would not be able to recognize or give countenance to any attempt on the part of any Japanese agencies to exercise jurisdiction over American nationals in China.