693.001/519a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
52. Reference Department’s 29, February 4, 3 p.m. Tsingtao’s 33, February 10, 3 p.m., and 40, February 28, 10 a.m.,5 Tientsin’s 17, February 25, 4 p.m., No. 18, February 27, and No. 20, March 2, 6 p.m., and Peiping’s 110, March 2, 5 p.m.,6 all in regard to trade restrictions in North China.
Department desires that you approach the Japanese Foreign Office in such manner as you may deem appropriate, and state that from various sources the Government of the United States has received information to the effect that the Japanese-sponsored régime in North China is, with the support of the Japanese authorities, contemplating the imposition of drastic trade restrictions, including the requirement of export permits and controlled money exchange. Say that this Government views with deep concern the increasing evidence in Japanese-occupied areas in China of interference with the normal flow of trade between the United States and those areas. Express the hope that the Japanese authorities will not countenance the proposed measures but, on the contrary, will remove existing restrictions which tend to prevent, between the United States and North China, the same normal and uninterrupted flow of trade that now, so far as action by the United States Government is concerned, prevails between the United States and Japan.
Department suggests that in your discretion you consult your British and French colleagues with the thought that they may wish to take similar but separate action.
Peiping please repeat to Tokyo such of the telegrams under reference as Tokyo has not received.
Repeated to Chungking, Tientsin and Tsingtao.