893.5151/454
Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
I called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs at his official residence at 9:30 this morning and presented an aide-mémoire regarding currency [Page 763] exchange control in North China. I appealed to the Minister on the basis of the principle of equal opportunity and the Open Door whose support in China the Japanese Government has frequently enunciated. Our aide-mémoire furthermore made full reservation in regard to American rights and interests.
The Minister said he understands that the authorities in North China are now discussing the currency question with the foreign banks in Tientsin and he hopes that these discussions will lead to an arrangement acceptable to all. He said that he would have to refer our aide-mémoire to his experts before replying but he stated that the Japanese Government will continue to support the principle of equal opportunity and the Open Door in China.