704.9394/3: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—1:30 a.m.]
48. I have today addressed to the Consul General the following instruction:
The Consulate at Nagoya has referred to me the hypothetical question whether it might take over the archives and property of the Chinese Consulate in the event that the latter office were to be closed.
I would appreciate your informing the officers in your supervisory district that if they are requested by their Chinese colleagues to assume charge of archives and effects they should take the position that they would be prepared to lend their good offices in any emergency that might occur but that in the absence of authorization from the Department they are not in a position to assume responsibility for the archives and property of Chinese Consulates.