Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

893.24/1059: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, May 28, 1941—7 p.m.

305. Hanoi’s 67, May 24, 11 a.m., 68, May 24, 7 p.m., 69, May 25, 10 a.m., and 70, May 25, 4 p.m.

1. Please approach the Japanese Foreign Office and make, as under instruction, vigorous protest against the action of the Japanese military in French Indochina as described in the telegrams under reference. In so doing please say that this Government recognizes no right on the part of the Japanese military in French Indochina to take such action and that this Government reserves all rights in regard to property involved in which it or its nationals may have an interest. Say that although this Government does not have full details in regard to all of the merchandise involved it does have a definite interest in most of such merchandise because of its American origin and of American governmental credits extended thereon. Say further that this Government has an interest in the unimpeded delivery of that cargo to such destination as may be desired by its lawful owners. Ask that the cargo in question be released to the companies which hold title to it.¹⁷

2. The American Embassy at Vichy is being instructed to protest to the French Foreign Office against the action of the French authorities in the matter.¹⁸

Sent to Tokyo via Shanghai. Repeated to Chungking, Peiping and Hong Kong. Hong Kong please repeat to Hanoi.

Hull

17. For written representations made by Ambassador Grew to the Japanese Foreign Office on June 3 and 21, for the Japanese reply of June 24, and for the Ambassador’s oral statement of July 8, 1941, see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. ii, pp. 312, 313, and 315.
18. See infra.