393.115/174: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
132. Your 142, January 26, 3 p.m. It is suggested that you inform the representatives of the interested missionary societies of Japanese assurances regarding indemnification as reported in paragraph 3 of Tokyo’s 75, February 4, noon,59 and urge that they promptly prepare in triplicate itemized sworn statements covering the losses and damages sustained by the respective missions as a result of looting or depredations by Japanese soldiers and that they also submit supporting evidence as to the actual value of property taken or destroyed. It is extremely important that their allegations of looting and depredations by soldiers be supported by best obtainable evidence such as affidavits executed by persons who actually observed such acts by soldiers and setting forth all pertinent information on this point. In cases in which Japanese officials accompanying affiants observed such acts, a statement to that effect should be included in the affidavits together with information regarding the names and rank of the officials.
As each completed claim is filed with Consulate, forward to Department and send copy to Tokyo and advise latter that appropriate instructions will be sent upon receipt of claim by Department.
The procedure indicated above would also be applicable in cases similar to the ones mentioned in your telegram under reference.
Repeat to Hankow as No. 67 and Tokyo as No. 55.
- Not printed; but see memorandum of February 4, Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, Vol. i, p. 577.↩