393.1115/3053: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:53 p.m.]
90. My 87, March 29, 4 p.m. In the telegram under reference it was reported that the Japanese Consul General had stated it would probably soon be possible for American citizens to make business trips to Shanghai and return. Two American citizens, Professor M. S. Bates of the University of Nanking and Reverend Ernest Forster of the American Church Mission, were informed yesterday afternoon by Mr. Tanaka of the Japanese Consulate General that arrangements had been made for them to go to Shanghai on a Japanese ship leaving [Page 303] here April 3. However, a pass will be issued good only for travel from Nanking to Shanghai and it would be necessary to apply to the Japanese military in Shanghai for a pass to return which it was said would be granted. According to Mr. Bates, he was told that the Japanese military were dissatisfied with the conduct in Shanghai of foreigners who had previously come from Nanking and that the local Consulate General had been asked to see to it that any other foreigners coming to Shanghai be very careful about their conduct while in the city. It was said that if the conduct of Mr. Bates and Mr. Forster was not satisfactory it might be difficult for them to return to Nanking. Upon being asked to explain, Mr. Tanaka stated that other foreigners had spread anti-Japanese propaganda regarding the sitution in Nanking and he advised Mr. Bates to be very careful during his stay. He was particularly advised against talking to newspaper men or at least saying things which might be published and which the military tribunal [would] consider injurious to the army. It would also be necessary for Mr. Bates and Mr. Forster to give their Shanghai addresses and to state how long they wished to remain in the city.
I called on Consul General Hanawa this morning and made an informal protest against these conditions being placed upon the travel of Americans and also at what seemed to me to be an unwarranted attempt of the Japanese military to assume control over American citizens. Mr. Hanawa stated that Mr. Tanaka had only been giving friendly advice and that there were no “conditions”. I then asked why, if there were no conditions, it was not possible to give a pass good for the round trip rather than only a one way pass, and Mr. Hanawa replied that the military in Nanking could not give such a pass. I pointed out that the military in Wuhu had given a round trip pass to an American citizen about a month ago for a trip to Shanghai and that it seemed strange that the Nanking military could not do the same thing. I stated that while technically there might be no conditions to the granting of these passes, inasmuch as a round trip pass was not issued, the practical result was the same as if conditions had been made. I added that neither Mr. Bates nor Mr. Forster was going to Shanghai to make anti-Japanese propaganda but that in the course of their work it might be necessary for them to make factual statements regarding Nanking conditions and that it was not right that they should be penalized if some of their statements proved displeasing to the Japanese military. I concluded by saying that if these Americans were prevented from returning to Nanking I should be inclined to take a serious view of the matter.
It is apparent that the real reason for military restrictions upon the travel of foreigners between Shanghai and Nanking is the fear that the truth will be told concerning Japanese activities here rather than solicitude for the safety of foreigners as has been claimed. I believe [Page 304] it would be beneficial if the Embassy at some future date could make informal representations against this attitude of the Japanese military in Shanghai which so greatly hinders the legitimate activities of American citizens.
Sent to Embassy, Hankow, repeated to Department, Peiping and Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.