811.5034 (China) American Radio Service/3: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
567. Department’s 237, October 19, 7 p.m.78 In reply to representations made by the Consul General at Tientsin regarding the invasion of the office of the American Radio Service by Chinese and Japanese police (see Tientsin’s 232, September 28, 4 p.m.78), the Japanese Consulate General at Tientsin stated inter alia that “The Japanese gendarmerie suspected the premises of the American Radio Service to be one of the bases of anti-Japanese terrorist group”, leaders of which, according to the Japanese Consul General, had confessed that the station had been used by the group for communicating with the Chungking Government and added “I believe you will agree with me that it would serve the interests of peace and order in the Concessions to put a stop to unlawful radio stations as soon as possible.”
The Consulate General for the time being is making no reply to the Japanese and stating that the Embassy might deem it advisable to inform the Department by telegraph of the Japanese statement pending further action on the registration application of the firm.
The question of whether the Chinese Government has been granted authority to operate the station has been referred to the Embassy at Chungking. It is suggested by the Consul General at Tientsin that the Department may wish to give further consideration to the matter in the light of the information contained herein.
Repeated to Chungking. By mail to Tokyo.