611.94231/46b: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
440. On July 28 the Japanese Ambassador called at his request. He said with reference to the freezing order of this Government [Page 268] that the question of how Japanese vessels in American waters would be affected was giving his Government great uneasiness and he therefore desired any information I could give him. I told the Japanese Ambassador that under present conditions and for the time being prompt clearance would be granted by the Treasury Department to any Japanese vessels in American ports which wished to clear. In reply to a further inquiry I told the Ambassador that while purchase by those vessels of food supplies and fuel would require specific licenses from the Treasury Department, licenses would be granted for such transactions for the time being and under present conditions in order to enable those ships to clear from ports in this country. The Ambassador expressed satisfaction with my replies.