Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East; The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

393.115/664: Telegram

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

Tokyo, June 19, 1939—7 p.m.
[Received June 20—8:20 a.m.]

283. Department’s 163, June 15, 4 p.m. and our 279, June 17, 6 p.m.⁹⁷

1. I called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs this afternoon and carried out the Department’s instruction to enter a strong protest against the continuance of bombing of American properties.

2. The Foreign Minister replied that it was unthinkable, in view of the desire of all sections of the Japanese people to develop friendly relations with the United States, that American property was being bombed deliberately and intentionally. He could well appreciate that suspicion in that direction might arise in the United States when the same properties are repeatedly bombed, but for his part he was confident that such cases were due to what he called special circumstances, such as the proximity to the bombed properties of Chinese gun emplacements. He said that every precaution was being taken, but that the Japanese Government would be glad to study the matter further with a view to devising additional preventive measures.

3. I expressed regret that the Foreign Minister had not provided me with a basis for recommending that the publication of official correspondence on this matter, which had been under consideration for several weeks, be withheld. I added that it was impossible to escape the conclusion that many of the responsible Japanese military authorities are not in any way concerned over the importance of avoiding damage to American interests. I then asked whether he had objection to the publication of the Japanese note of May 17.⁹⁸ Mr. Arita replied that the publication of the correspondence could not be expected to bring about any improvement in the situation as the Japanese Government was already doing everything that it could to prevent injury to American property. He hoped, therefore, that the American Government would see its way clear to withholding publication, particularly at this time.

4. With regard to the publication of the Japanese note of May 17 Mr. Arita said that he would have the matter looked into and a reply communicated to me as soon as possible.

5. My considered opinion is that correspondence should be published.

Repeated to Chungking, Peiping.

Dooman

97. Latter not printed.
98. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 649.