390.1115A/417: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—9 a.m.]
375. Only a short time ago it appeared likely that most, if not all, missionaries and teachers of the Congregational Church would be leaving soon; however, the situation with respect to this group appears to have undergone a radical change since it became known here that Miss Grace Stowe had secured a passport at Washington and was returning to Kobe Women’s College. Those who seemed ready to withdraw only a short time ago now seem to feel that departure is not necessary.
As far is in [as is] known, the Roman Catholic missionaries and nuns have no plans for evacuating. There is a Catholic convent (Maryknoll) near Lake Biwa in Japan proper, another at Dairen, and possible others in other sections of the country, where a number of nuns of American nationality are cloistered. In addition, there are a few Catholic priests and teachers in Japan proper and considerably more in Korea. It is said, without confirmation, that the American Catholics have an understanding with their German and Italian ecclesiastical colleagues whereby the latter will assume responsibility for the American in case of War. Five Catholic bishops have recently been “demoted”, that is, they have accepted titles of lower rank and are now working under Japanese bishops. The foreign Catholics, especially those from Axis states, are believed to have considerable influence in this country at this time, and if they guarantee the conduct of their American colleagues and the cloistered nuns, the element of risk in case of trouble would seem to be materially lessened.
After his local efforts had failed, the Consul at Dairen telegraphed the Maryknoll organization in Los Angeles urging a reduction in the number of nuns at the Dairen Convent, but his telegram was never answered. The Consul General at Keijo reports a considerable number of Catholic priests in Korea and states that in his opinion efforts should be made to secure at least a partial withdrawal.
Should the Department wish to urge withdrawal of the Roman Catholic representatives in this country, it is suggested that the following boards be contacted: Maryknoll Convent, Maryknoll, Ossining, New York; Maryknoll Convent, Los Angeles, California; St. Columban’s, Nebraska.
Commercial Firms: American commercial interests in Japan have suffered from a variety of adverse factors, including the stringent foreign exchange and import control measures, with the result that most American firms here have been able to do little more than a [Page 412] nominal business for some considerable time. Consequently, they began to move out even before the missionary groups, with the result that some firms have withdrawn entirely while others have made important staff reductions. All women and children of executives of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company, General Motors Assembly Plant, the National City Bank, and the American President Lines have already left Japan.
Negligible response of Japanese American[s]: In spite of the fact that it is generally understood that the new Nationality Act may cause many Nisei to fall within the presumption of expatriation should they continue to reside in Japan, there is no present indication that any appreciable number intend to return to the United States during the next few months.
American School enrollment dwindles: The Board of Directors of the American School in Japan, location Tokyo, which occupies its own million yen building and which normally has an enrollment of approximately 200, agreed in a recent meeting to keep the school operating until the Easter holidays and longer if possible. However, the enrollment has gradually dwindled to about 60 pupils, including Japanese, Eurasians and other foreign elements, and it is understood that several teachers are quietly arranging to leave Japan. The Easter holidays have been postponed until the middle of April and in the meantime the school is operating 6 days a week in order to finish as much of the normal curriculum as possible. The prospects for operating the school beyond April are decidedly unfavorable. Its closure at that time must be reckoned with and this move will probably hasten the evacuation of a few American families who would otherwise choose to stay here indefinitely.
Transportation facilities: Passenger bookings on the American President Lines ships bound for the United States have been unusually heavy for some weeks and this condition is expected to last at least until the end of April. The President Coolidge which sailed from Yokohama on March first was practically sold out in all classes and advance bookings on the next two steamers indicate that these will sail with capacity lists. However, there is no transportation shortage for those intent upon early evacuation inasmuch as the Japanese Line continue to maintain frequent sailings and their steamers are not booked full. Now, as in the past, many American missionary families travel on these boats.
Sent to Department; via airmail to Shanghai.