893.102 Tientsin/332: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1 p.m.]
136. My 104, June 20, 6 p.m. In reply to my communication of June 21st to the Japanese Consul General transmitting the substance of the letter of Tientsin-American Chamber of Commerce of June 20th, with supporting representations and references to several specific cases of interference with Americans and American interests, I received last night the following.
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 21st June requesting me to consider the matters raised by the Tientsin American Chamber of Commerce to which I reply as follows:
- (1)
- Regarding the first point, I believe that as advised, military authorities have already issued instructions to the officers at the barriers to accord adequate facilities, for the American people are passing the barriers without unnecessary delay even though they go through the examination houses.
- (2)
- Though we have no intention to hinder American business interests you will appreciate that American firms should not expect to see their employees treated more favorably than those of Japanese firms.
- (3)
- Regarding the third request, as it is already known to you, the special facilities are being accorded for the goods of the American firm and moreover I am always ready to accord maximum facilities for each case presented by you.
- (4)
- Regarding the last point, no restrictions are placed on American firms applying for the foreign exchange on the ‘Link system’ according to the location of the firm’s place of business and I should like to bring to your attention the fact that the Yokohama Specie Bank is as a rule accepting all exchange bills of American firms outside the Japanese-controlled area.”
This reply is, of course, not satisfactory but I consider that any further communication dealing with the general questions raised by the reply should be deferred pending the result of the Tokyo negotiations and that in the meantime I should take up merely such specific and urgent matters as may arise.
It is a fact, that permits for the passage through the barriers of specific lots of American goods have been granted upon application [Page 213] of the Consulate General, but the necessity for this procedure in itself involves delay and considerable trouble both for the owner of the goods and for this office and in the case of some firms is quite impracticable.
Americans are not likely to agree that they should suffer inconvenience, delay, and extra expense—possibly even serious losses—merely because the Japanese military see fit to inflict the same penalties upon Japanese firms, but I consider it inadvisable to argue this point with the Japanese Consul General at this time.
I have informed the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of this reply (the publication of which seems inadvisable just now) and of my views in which they concur. I am inquiring as to the present extent and seriousness of the interference with Americans and American interests, concerning which I will telegraph later.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Shanghai, Tokyo.