393.1162 Wuhu Clinic/3: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 4—10:30 a.m.]
145. My 142, July 29, 6 p.m., and 138, July 26, 11 a.m.45—Wuhu incident. A further letter, dated August 2, has just been received from Dr. Brown stating that continued attempts have been made to get the hospital to close its clinic until permission has been obtained from the Japanese authorities. Dr. Brown was told by a representative of the Japanese Consulate that the military had agreed to give the clinic a permit if it would close for 3 days. Upon asking why it was necessary to close, Dr. Brown was informed that as Wuhu was in occupied territory nothing could be done without the permission of the army, and it was suggested the clinic might be closed by force. Dr. Brown states he intends to continue operating the clinic unless instructed by Department to close it and he requested my instructions.
It is felt that the principle involved is one of considerable importance which will affect the operation of the American institutions in the occupied areas. Instructions are therefore requested as to whether or not I am authorized to inform the local Japanese authorities that the American Government cannot recognize the right of the Japanese authorities to interfere with the legitimate activities of American citizens and institutions, and to respectfully request instructions be issued to the Japanese authorities at Wuhu to afford the hospital and the clinic protection in its work.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to the Ambassador and Peiping.
- Latter not printed.↩