393.1163 American Church Mission/51: Telegram

The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State

70. My 65, November 14 [15], 5 [4] p.m., Roots case. This afternoon the military liaison officer of the Japanese Consulate finally made arrangements for a member of my staff to accompany him and a Japanese Vice Consul to Wuchang to see Dr. Roots.

The circumstances of the incident at St. Michael’s Church as orally recounted by Roots to Vice Consul Davies were as stated in my number [Page 539] 65. Roots attributes the disrespect to the American flag and the deliberate spraying of carbolic-phenol solution in his face [more?] to a desire on the part of the Japanese to punish him than an act of violence towards them [him?]. Roots is of very even and controlled disposition and kept his temper.

The issue seems to me to be, firstly, trespass on American property, secondly, disrespect to the American flag, thirdly, action intended to harm an American citizen and, fourthly, obstruction by the Japanese authorities to this office in its desire to establish contact with an American citizen.

The Japanese Consulate General and military liaison office display every indication of wishing the case to be considered closed. If the Department perceives no objection I am prepared to write the Japanese Consul General stating that I am willing to consider the incident closed on the understanding that effective measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of similar cases and on the understanding that if in the future this office desires to communicate with an American citizen prompt facilities to do so will be extended where necessary.

Sent to Chungking, Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.

November 18, 7 a.m. This message was delayed in transmission due to the inability to pass Japanese barricades after 6 p.m., for delivery to the U. S. S. Luzon.

Josselyn