893.111/405: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart), at Peiping
219. Reference Peiping’s 506, September 22, 2 p.m. Please inquire of Tsingtao whether any significant amelioration in regard to travel requirements at Tsingtao as affecting Americans has occurred since the despatch of the telegram under reference. If such amelioration has not occurred, the Department desires that you approach the Japanese Embassy again. Inform the Embassy that the response conveyed by Matsuo is unsatisfactory in that the response disregards (a) the illegal aspect of the requirements in placing restrictions on the right of the freedom of movement of Americans and (b) the fact that American citizens are subjected to unwarranted inconveniences. You may add that, if the Japanese authorities should have evidence that an American citizen is engaged in illegal activities, such evidence should be brought to the attention of the nearest American diplomatic or consular authorities for appropriate action.
If you deem it advisable, please repeat this telegram to Tokyo with instruction from the Department that the Embassy there, in its discretion, make a similar approach to the Foreign Office.