793.94/10022
The American Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Hirota)
Excellency: Under instruction of my Government I have the honor to make to Your Excellency the following communication:
In the light of the situation existing in China in which the lives and interests of a considerable number of American nationals are in danger in consequence of the carrying on of military operations by armed forces of Japan and of China, and in the light of statements made by the Japanese Government on and since July 12, both in writing and through spoken words, indicating that Japan is solicitous with regard to the lives of the nationals and the interests of other countries, the Government of the United States requests, for the re-assurance of its people both at home and abroad, an express and specific formal assurance by the Japanese Government that the operations of the Japanese armed forces in China will not be directed against or into the city of Tsingtao where American nationals are at present concentrated.
As the Japanese Government is aware, the American Government has been encouraging and facilitating the withdrawal of American nationals from exposed areas in China to places of comparative security. Many nationals of the United States along with the nationals of other countries have sought refuge at Tsingtao. In addition there are in that city a large number of Americans who had proceeded there to spend the summer and who have been advised against endeavoring to return to their normal places of residence because of disturbed conditions. In order that these Americans as well as other nationals now at Tsingtao may be reasonably secure, the American Government feels warranted in suggesting that Tsingtao not be made a theatre or base of military operations. Furthermore it seems to the American Government reasonable and desirable, in the interest of all concerned, that the fact of an intended immunity of Tsingtao from military operations should be announced and be generally and publicly understood. The American Government is prepared to address also to the Chinese Government a similar request for such an assurance.
I may add that such an assurance would serve to confirm the oral assurance given on August 20 by Admiral Shimomura to the American [Page 358] Consul at Tsingtao that the Japanese forces would make no attack on or in Tsingtao unless the Chinese forces move against the Japanese there.
I avail myself [etc.]