893.102 Hankow/141: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—7:40 a.m.]
39. On October 30, the Japanese put into effect what is termed martial law in Special Administrative District Three, the former British Concession in which this office and my residence are located. All barricade gates are closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ingress or egress forbidden. There is no apparent disorder in the city and the martial law applies only to Special Administrative District Three, freedom of movement apparently being permitted in other districts.
Because of the foregoing measure officers of the Consulate General living in the Special Administrative District Three who are on duty after 6 p.m. are unable to report for duty and naval orderlies are unable to carry messages to and from the Luzon.
I believe that this selective application of martial law and other minor obstructions represent the initial local steps in the larger Japanese policy of dislodging other foreign interests in China. If these preliminary encroachments affecting Americans are not the subject of vigorous representations I believe that there is a likelihood that further restrictions may be imposed more rapidly than they [otherwise?] would.
I have [therefore?] written today to the Japanese Consul General requesting him to note my emphatic objection to this restriction on the freedom of movement of American citizens, including American officials. I am informed that the acting British Consul General is also writing today along similar lines.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.