701.9394/16: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
22. Your 42, January 20, 2 p.m.73 Under date January 21, Ambassador Johnson telegraphed from Hankow in part as follows:
“Minister for Foreign Affairs last evening told me that he had instructed Chinese Ambassador to Japan to leave Tokyo and return to China. Chinese Ambassador to Japan was not handed his credentials by the Japanese Government. Minister for Foreign Affairs commented somewhat sarcastically upon statement reported by press as emanating from spokesman of Japanese Foreign Office that members of Chinese Embassy remaining in Tokyo would not retain diplomatic status but would be treated like ordinary citizens, whereas Japanese Foreign Office apparently considers that Japanese Counselor remaining in China will be Chargé d’Affaires with all diplomatic prerogatives intact.”
The Department desires to have by urgent telegram such information as you may have or may be in position discreetly to obtain in regard to the statement reported as emanating from spokesman of Japanese Foreign Office that members of Chinese Embassy remaining in Tokyo would not retain diplomatic status but would be treated like ordinary citizens.
- Not printed.↩