893.102 Kulangsu/181: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 24—8 a.m.]
293. Amoy’s 56, June 20, 5 p.m.
1. I left today with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs an informal paper reading as follows:
“The American Government takes a serious view of obstacles which have been placed in the way of forwarding food and fuel supplies to the International Settlement at Kulangsu. According to American Consul at Amoy, the Japanese sponsored regime at Amoy is maintaining a blockade between Amoy and Kulangsu, as junks coming into the International Settlement waters are stopped en route, and even at the jetty of the International Settlement by patrol boats of the local regime and taken to Amoy.
This interference with supplies of food and fuel is wholly inconsistent with repeated Japanese assurances that the Japanese forces would respect American rights and interests, and it is also highly objectionable on humanitarian grounds.
The American Chargé d’Affaires has already informed the director of the American Bureau that the American (Government is prepared to enter into friendly discussions of measures to give Japanese nationals and interests at Kulangsu a greater measure of security, but that Japanese [that it will not] consider demands which are supported by methods calculated to bring pressure to bear on the International Settlement, such as restrictions on supplies.
It is stated in the press this morning that Mr. Uchida has notified his consular colleagues that facilities are to be provided for the maintenance of food supplies. Mr. Dooman would appreciate a statement indicating the full scope of these facilities.”
2. The press item referred to states that the Japanese Consul General, answering the joint protest of the Consular Body, denied that the blockade is intended to put pressure on the International Settlement, and added that, as there are no surplus supplies in Amoy, he would provide facilities for obtaining food elsewhere.
[Page 130]3. Sawada said that he was not familiar with the Kulangsu situation, and therefore would reply later.
Repeated to Amoy, Chungking, Peiping.