893.102 Kulangsu/171: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan ( Dooman )
Washington
, June 17, 1939—2
p.m.
166. Amoy’s 52, June 15, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- This Government takes a serious view of the Japanese action toward cutting off food supplies from the International Settlement at Kulangsu and from the American nationals at that place. This step is wholly inconsistent with repeated Japanese assurances that the Japanese forces in China would respect American rights and interests. It is also highly objectionable on humanitarian grounds. There would seem to be inherent in the Japanese act an implication that the Japanese forces are prepared, by carrying such blockade to its conclusion, to bring the Americans at Kulangsu, along with other persons at that place, to the point of starvation in order to gain Japanese desiderata, which in the opinion of this Government are properly matters for diplomatic discussion. The United States Government [Page 126] cannot believe that the Japanese Government would sanction deliberate acts of this nature undertaken by Japanese armed forces against American nationals, regardless of whether such oppression of Americans is incidental to the carrying out of a general program or whether the action is taken directly or indirectly against Americans.
- 2.
- Unless you perceive objection, the Department desires that you call on the Japanese Foreign Minister as soon as practicable and communicate to him orally, as under instructions from this Government, the substance of the above paragraph. It is suggested that you may wish to inform your British and French colleagues in regard to these representations.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping and Amoy.
Hull