711.942/336
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that, since the announcement by the State Department in July of intention to terminate the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Japan, a number of American citizens in the occupied areas, particularly missionaries residing in the interior, have expressed to the Embassy some apprehension over their safety and welfare in the event that, after the expiration of the treaty, the United States should take action which might arouse ill-feeling against Americans among Japanese military and civilians in the occupied areas. This apprehension has [Page 593] been more evident since the recent speech delivered by Ambassador Grew at Tokyo.6 The Americans who have brought this matter to the attention of the Embassy stated that they were in thorough agreement with the policies of the United States Government, but several of them, and especially those with families in the interior, have expressed the hope that, if possible, they be given some notice by the American authorities if any measures are contemplated by the United States Government which might arouse strong anti-American feeling among the Japanese in the occupied areas.
The Americans in question have been informed that while, of course, no assurance could be given that Americans would receive prior notice of measures by the United States Government, the State Department was no doubt giving full consideration to all phases of the situation in the Far East, and, in particular, to the welfare and safety of American citizens.
Respectfully yours,
- On October 19, Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, p. 19.↩