Office of the Historian

893.102 Tientsin/592: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, October 31, 1939—6 p.m.

335. Tientsin’s 253, October 25, 4 p.m., 257, October 28, and 258, October 30, 7 p.m.,40 in regard to difficulties which American citizens and American business enterprises are encountering at Tientsin.

1.
The Department desires that, unless you perceive objection, you make an approach to the Japanese Foreign Office, in such manner as you may deem appropriate, upon the basis of the three telegrams under reference and request with emphasis that the interference and restrictions complained of be discontinued.41
2.
The Embassy at Peiping is requested to ascertain through the American Consulate General at Tientsin the nature of the proof which the American Chamber of Commerce states that it has to the effect that the barrier restrictions are now a “racket”, reporting the results of the inquiry to the Department and to the Embassy at Tokyo. Tientsin is requested to keep the American Embassies at Tokyo and Peiping currently informed of developments in the situation under consideration.

Sent to Tokyo via Peiping. Repeated to Tientsin and Shanghai.

Hull
  1. None printed; these telegrams reported Japanese restrictions on barrier passes for non-American employees and on movement of American persons and goods to and from the British and French Concessions (893.102 Tientsin/592, 594, 595).↩
  2. The Ambassador in Japan made oral representations on November 15.↩