393.115/201: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:05 p.m.]
68. After a period of comparative quiet during which there were no reports of violations of American property and but few reports of disorders of any kind, there has recently been a recrudescence of unlawful acts on the part of Japanese soldiers brought to the attention of this Embassy.
During the last few days there have been reported three cases of unlawful entry by Japanese soldiers of property of the University of Nanking, two of which involved the forcible removal of Chinese male refugees for use as laborers and rough handling and intimidation of other Chinese on the premises, as well as the breaking of one or two windows by the soldiers. The third case involved a group of soldiers who broke down a section of the hedge surrounding the compound and took away some water stored inside. These matters were all reported to the Japanese Embassy as soon as possible and promises were given that such actions would not continue, though two of the incidents occurred after the first complaint was made. While these complaints have not been serious in themselves they have shown that order has not yet been completely restored and that instructions of the High Command are still flagrantly violated at times.
It was reported to the office yesterday morning, by the Chinese caretaker, that on the previous afternoon a Japanese soldier had broken into the residence compound of the Standard Vacuum Oil Company and after robbing four of the coolies there of $9 Chinese currency had demanded more. When it was not forthcoming the soldiers slashed at one of the coolies with his sword and when the coolie dodged, the sword cut through a 2-inch bamboo flag pole on which was flying the American flag. This matter was immediately called to the attention of Mr. Kasuya of the Japanese Embassy, who was in the office at the time and in the afternoon he accompanied Vice Consul Espy and Japanese consular and military police to the spot for a personal examination of the coolies involved. The most serious aspect of this incident is that the Chinese on the premises have been so frightened that they may leave the compound which will then have no one to guard it in any way.
Late in the afternoon I was called upon by Lieutenant Colonel Hirota and Mr. Kasuya who expressed regrets at the incident and gave assurances that steps were being taken to prevent any repetition. [Page 283] I pointed out that there was obviously not enough police protection being afforded various properties and Colonel Hirota said he had requested the military authorities to increase the patrols in that district. I then stated that it was not alone in that area but that American property in other parts of the city had also been entered recently and furniture and other articles taken away. I gave as an example the house of Julius Barr which on February 2nd had been inspected and found to have much of its furniture intact, while on February 11, when inspected a second time, most of the furniture was seen to have been taken away. I admitted the possibility of this having been done by Chinese, who are now returning to all parts of the city, but I added that there will be in the future no police patrols of any sort in the vicinity of the house and that as the Japanese Army was in occupation it was its responsibility to maintain order and prevent such happenings.
Colonel Hirota seemed sincerely to regret these occurrences and promised he would endeavor to impress upon military authorities the need of more adequate police protection. He requested me not to report these matters to Tokyo or Washington but I told him I must do so. However, I added I would request that for the present no publicity be given to these incidents unless it should become apparent that such things were continuing without any real effort being made to stop them.
Sent to Embassy [at] Hankow, Peiping and Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.