893.115/319: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—10:45 a.m.]
Shanghai’s May 30, noon, to the Embassy [at] Hankow repeated to Department regarding request of Japanese Consul General, Shanghai, for maps showing localities of properties of third powers in certain areas.
American property holders in areas named within this consular district have been informed of this further request. I desire however [Page 351] to invite the Department’s attention to the fact that the areas named by the Japanese Consul General at Shanghai are in large measure the same as the areas set forth in the Japanese Embassy note January 31 last to Peiping (see Peiping’s telegram No. 81 February 2, 7 p.m.56). In this note Japanese Embassy requested that one map be forwarded to Peiping and this has been done in one instance. The request contained in Shanghai’s May 30, noon, is for four copies of maps to be forwarded to Shanghai. This has resulted in considerable extra labor, confusion and misunderstanding and it is not unlikely that still further requests for maps may emanate from other Japanese sources. The practical value of supplying these maps is questionable as set forth in my despatch to the Embassy No. 547 of June 7. Furthermore the wisdom of complying with the Japanese request is questioned by property holders as witness a letter just received from the Methodist Mission at Nanchang, Kiangsi, one of the points especially mentioned in Japanese letter of May 30th. The missionary in charge writes that the mission has properties spread over the city, that the houses are marked with American flag and that if he were to furnish maps of the city showing the location of mission properties he would be in effect furnishing information to the Japanese which would give them bearings by which to locate any point desired. This he states would be betraying information to China’s enemies.
I have endeavored to make clear to Americans concerned that the supplying of maps is purely voluntary on their part and that this office is merely suggesting that those who may wish to do so comply with the procedure.
Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai. Copy to Embassy, Hankow.