393.112/41a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart), at Peiping
158. Reports of anti-American agitation at Kaifeng, places in Shansi and elsewhere, as contained in your and Chungking’s recent telegrams and in frequent press despatches from China, are causing us concern. Unless you perceive objection, please approach the Japanese Embassy at Peiping in such manner as you deem appropriate along the lines suggested in the Department’s 218, July 25, 6 p.m., and 234, August 1, 7 p.m., to Tokyo. As one possible means of emphasizing to the Japanese authorities our concern at the developments in question, it is suggested that, in your discretion, you ask the Japanese Embassy to make arrangements with the Japanese military, if possible, for the forwarding of letters of inquiry from the Embassy to American missionaries in the affected places within the scope of operations of the Japanese north China command and the delivery to you of the missionaries’ replies. In addition, please make such other efforts as may be practicable, direct or through the appropriate consular office as may seem feasible, to keep in communication with Americans in affected places throughout the portions of China under Japanese military control and to obtain and report to the Department all available information in regard to developments.
Gauss is requested in his discretion to make appropriate representations in the matter to the Japanese authorities at Shanghai.
Sent to Peiping. Repeated to Chungking, Hankow and Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.