Office of the Historian

693.002/486: Telegram

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

Washington, February 5, 1938—3 p.m.

42. Shanghai’s 208, February 4, 8 p.m. The Department desires that you make an approach to the Japanese Government, in such manner as you consider appropriate, in regard to this matter, using the information contained in the British aide-mémoire quoted in your 66, February 2, 5 p.m., as confirmed by Gauss56 as a basis for your approach. You may make mention of the situation described in the two concluding sentences of paragraph 2 of Shanghai’s 197, February 3, 9 p.m., and point out that it is utterly indefensible that the Japanese [Page 649] should make observance of customs procedure at Shanghai contingent upon acquiescence in their wishes in regard to settlement of the Shanghai customs issue.57

Repeated to Shanghai.

Hull
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. For the American Embassy’s aide-mémoire dated February 7, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 739.↩