740.00119 PW/1–1446
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Bonnet)
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Excellency the Ambassador of France and has the honor to refer to the note no. 36 of January 14, 194653 inviting the attention of the Department of State to the information that the Allied High Command in Tokyo has charged the Bank of Japan to liquidate the Banque Franco-Japonaise to take over the property and interests of the Tokyo agency of the Banque l’Indochine with a view to the refunding of certain deposits and the realization of certain assets in this bank.
The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan has informed the Department that with respect to these banks, payment of depositors’ claims has been authorized and assets are being preserved. No liquidation is contemplated at this time, and no discriminatory action has been taken against the banks.
With respect to the Embassy’s request that the Department intervene with the competent authorities with a view to returning to France the free disposition of the enterprises in which she possesses interests, although no definite assurances can be given at this time, the Department will be glad to discuss this matter with appropriate representatives of the French Government.
- Not printed.↩