893.111/471: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Grew )
326. Peiping’s 134, June 9, 3 p.m.38 The Department suggests that, unless you perceive objection, you take up this matter with the Japanese Foreign Office. You may point out that this Government of course does not recognize any right of Japanese authorities in China to impose restrictions upon legitimate travel by American citizens; that the issuance of regulations of the character described in Peiping’s telegram under reference at this time, long after the Japanese military occupation of places in north China, seems to be indicative of a desire and intent on the part of the Japanese to consolidate for their own exclusive benefit the control which they have exercised by military force in that region; and that this imposition of new and unwarranted restrictions does not comport with the earlier protestations of the Japanese authorities to the effect that restrictions imposed when hostilities first broke out were so imposed as merely temporary measures of military necessity. This Government believes that the Japanese authorities cannot in good faith do other than to relax rather than to increase restrictions, imposed by them or at their instance, which continue to constitute interference with the legitimate activities of American citizens.
Sent to Tokyo via Shanghai. Repeated to Peiping, Chungking, and Tientsin.
- Not printed; it reported Japanese regulations requiring military permits for travel in North China. These permits replaced similar permits issued by police and other authorities.↩