393.115/512: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn)
Washington, November 8, 1938—6
p.m.
11. Your 47, November 8, 3 p.m., restrictions on activities of American citizens at Hankow.
- 1.
- In view of the fact of Japanese military occupation of Wuhan and of the exercise by the Japanese military of police functions there it would appear desirable that American citizens in that area comply [Page 530] as a matter of expediency with reasonable police regulations issued by the Japanese military authorities.
- 2.
- British interests and concern with the question of Special Administrative District Number Three are larger and more direct than are American interests and concern. Moreover, the French have a special interest by reason of their own Concession. The Department therefore feels that, if the action taken by your British and French colleagues in regard to their nationals does not conflict with the general attitude outlined in paragraph 1 above, your action in regard to restrictions on the movements of American citizens should conform to that of your British and French colleagues. In this connection the Department offers for your consideration the suggestion that you say informally to the Japanese Consul General that attempts to impose onerous and irksome restrictions upon American citizens are bound to cause resentment and point out the desirability of their making the regulations in question as simple and as little restrictive as possible and terminating them completely at the earliest practicable moment.
Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.
Hull