893.111/398: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart), at Peiping
185. Tsingtao’s 182, August 14, 3 p.m. to the Department and August 26, 10 a.m. to Peiping.51 The Department does not appear to have the message from Tokyo referred to in the opening clause of Tsingtao’s August 26, 10 a.m. to you and requests information as to whether you are taking up this matter with the Japanese Embassy.52 We should appreciate clarification of Sokobin’s statement in paragraph 2 of that message in regard to the detail of a “unit” to the Consulate for the handling of traveling certificate applications of naval dependents.
As regards the requirement that other American citizens appear personally at Japanese consular or naval offices to obtain traveling certificates, the Department is of the opinion that this requirement, in addition to constituting an illegal restriction on the right of freedom of movement of Americans, places a burden on American travelers which does not appear to be justifiable by any contention of “military necessity” or other circumstances at Tsingtao. You may so inform the Japanese Embassy, point out that American citizens in general have voluntarily cooperated with local authorities in such matters as the use of special documents to facilitate travel, and request that steps be taken in this instance to remove requirements which are unreasonable and which indicate a lack on the part of local Japanese authorities of appreciation of the generally cooperative attitude of Americans and a lack of desire to implement repeated assurances by highly-placed Japanese officials of respect for American rights in areas of China under Japanese control.
Sent to Peiping. Repeated to Tsingtao. Peiping please air mail to Tokyo.