693.001/418
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch No. 244 of October 27, 1938, transmitting a statement of the American Chamber of Commerce at Tsingtao addressed to the Secretary of State, entitled “Restriction of American Trade in Tsingtao as compared with Japanese trade”.58a It is desired that you make appropriate acknowledgment to the Chamber of Commerce stating that the views expressed in its statement are receiving the Department’s careful consideration.
In addition to this acknowledgment it is suggested that when a suitable opportunity is presented you make a specific reply informally and tactfully to the request of the Chamber of Commerce for advice as to action Americans should take in the event their rights and interests encounter certain types of interference by local Japanese authorities. You should point out that when American rights and interests are violated the persons representing these interests should as promptly as possible report the violations to an American diplomatic or consular officer who will take appropriate action. The nature of this action will, of course, depend entirely upon the circumstances of each individual case. When violations of American rights and interests are reported to the Department or to its representatives in the field the Department, either directly or through these representatives, takes all appropriate steps warranted by the circumstances with a view to obtaining full respect for the affected American interests.
Very truly yours,
- Neither printed.↩