393.1162 Wuhu Clinic/12: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21—2:20 p.m.]
153. Reference Shanghai’s 1075, August 8, 3 p.m., in regard to Wuhu General Hospital Clinic. Following radio message in plain from Doctor Brown at Wuhu dated August 20 through British gunboat there has just been received:
“Japanese military sent interpreter today 4 p.m., demanding hand over my pass. No reason forthcoming. I requested letter giving reasons, interpreter replied this would not be given and if pass not handed over steps would be taken tomorrow to prevent my leaving hospital. Undoubtedly this is revenge for refusal to close hospital clinic and because I went to Shanghai in April on U. S. S. Oahu without pass having waited 1 week for same when Oahu unexpectedly arrived Wuhu. Also because we assisted nine French naval men into hospital compound when altercation arose with sentry over new announced [Page 448] regulation requiring navy men to have individual passes. Kindly inform State Department and Consul General requesting pressure on Japanese military [to] discontinue irritations and interference with American rights.”
Dr. Brown, who visited Nanking August 18 on British gunboat, stated that interference with clinic had ceased. He mentioned an incident which had occurred on August 9 when nine sailors from a French gunboat then at Wuhu, whom he had invited to swim at the hospital pool, had been held up by Japanese sentry at hospital compound gate. Dr. Brown opened gate for them to enter but after their swim they were not permitted to leave by Japanese soldiers. The French gunboat commander subsequently obtained permission for them to leave. Dr. Brown stated that he had been assured by former Japanese military commander at Wuhu that passes were not required by foreign naval men and that he was acting on this understanding when he invited the French sailors to his compound.
Matter is being taken up with Japanese Consul General here. It is respectfully requested that representations be made at Shanghai where higher Japanese military authorities are located.
Sent to [Shanghai], repeated to Department.