893.102 Tientsin/543: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—9:15 a.m.]
294. My 288, December 9, 3 [1] p.m.,60 and Embassy’s 641, December 18, 1 [2] p.m. On appointment made by this office through Japanese Consul General, delegation of American Chamber of Commerce called this morning on General Homma seeking to correct his impression that they are hostile which he charged in press interview with Lee of Associated Press on December 7th. They requested both orally and in a written statement (copy of which is being forwarded60) lifting of barriers and asked that Americans be relieved of necessity of passing through searching sheds; that American-owned cargo be given immediate passage through the barriers; and that passage of barriers by alien employees be expedited and that additional passes be issued for such employees.
They were received in a friendly manner and General Homma discussed the situation with them, but there were no concrete results.
James Young, of the International News Service, who is returning to Tokyo after spending some time in South China, was given an appointment immediately following that of the delegation of the Chamber of Commerce, and General Homma at once embarked upon a discussion of the matters dealt with by the delegation. I am informed that, among other things, the General stated that: even if the silver and fapi questions are settled it is not certain that the barriers will be lifted; Tokyo negotiations with the British and Russians are eclipsed at present by negotiations with the United States; although Chamber of Commerce denies hostility charged by General Homma in press interview of December 7, Chamber’s recommendation that new treaty [Page 262] be not negotiated without improved situation here is evidence of their hostility and has to do with a matter of great importance.
Although a few days ago the Asahi Road barrier, which has remained closed since the flood, was reopened, it is noted that the temporary wooden shed formerly there has been replaced by a permanent brick structure. Reference was made yesterday to this change at press conference with military spokesman, who, according to report which I am mailing, stated that lifting of barriers was contingent upon cooperation of third powers involving not merely passive neutrality but abandonment of pro-Chiang Kai-shek policy and assistance of the Japanese.
Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai. Air mail to Tokyo.