493.11/2155: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin)
Washington, July 25, 1938—6
p.m.
Reference your mail despatch No. 219 May 2534 regarding Texas Company losses.
- 1st.
- Information contained in enclosures 1 and 2 indicates possibility
that losses referred to therein may have been caused under
circumstances involving Japanese responsibility on either or both of
following grounds:
- (a)
- Looting by Japanese troops; or
- (b)
- Looting by others in area apparently occupied by Japanese forces (see Department’s 98, March 8, 6 p.m. to the Ambassador at Hankow). It is therefore suggested that those losses be reported to your Japanese colleague for investigation and report with the statement that looting is alleged to have been done by soldiers and others in areas apparently occupied by Japanese military forces. Do not include any statement regarding the nationality of the soldiers who did the looting.
- 2d.
- It is suggested that you also report losses referred to in enclosure 3 as having occurred in area apparently occupied by Japanese forces.
- 3d.
- Losses referred to in enclosures 4 and 5 should also be reported without indicating nationality of looting or seizing forces.
Hull
- Not printed.↩