883.102 Tientsin/242: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Dooman)

156. Tientsin’s 83, June 7, 10 p.m.61

1.
In view of reports that the Japanese military authorities at Tientsin are contemplating some drastic action at that place the Department desires that, unless you perceive objection, you informally approach the Foreign Office and communicate to it orally this Government’s concern for American nationals and property interests at Tientsin.
2.
You may refer to previous informal representations made in accordance with the Department’s no. 3, January 4, noon, to Peiping and no. 49, February 27, 8 p.m., to you, and point out to the Foreign Office that (a) some 400 American civilians reside and conduct business in Tientsin; (b) American property and trade interests there are [Page 176] extensive (see Peiping’s 741, December 23, 5 p.m., section 262); (c) an American Consulate General functions in Tientsin as the center of a large consular district containing over 1200 American citizens; and (d) American interests in that port have already suffered seriously from unwarranted restrictions imposed by the Japanese authorities on the movements of persons and goods and from general restrictions on trade imposed at Japanese instance.
3.
You may add that it is the firm belief of this Government that points at issue which may arise during the present abnormal conditions in China among various foreign authorities are susceptible of amicable adjustment without the employment of coercive measures and that, having in mind the legitimate interests of American citizens, this Government expresses the hope that the Japanese Government will refrain from taking any steps which may tend to increase the tension at Tientsin and thereby cause further detriment to American interests in that port.

Repeated to Chungking, Tientsin, and Shanghai.

Hull