793.94/11421
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The receipt is acknowledged of the British Embassy’s aide-mémoire of December 1, 1937, in regard to the policing by the Japanese of the extra-Settlement areas. Note is taken of the British Government’s statement that the British Ambassador in Tokyo has been instructed to make representations to the Japanese Government in the matter and of the British Government’s inquiry whether the American Government would be prepared to instruct the American Ambassador in Tokyo to take similar action.
The American Government, after giving the matter careful consideration, has reached the conclusion that it is advisable at this stage that an approach be made by the American Consul General at Shanghai rather than by the American Ambassador at Tokyo. The American Government feels that its Consul General at Shanghai, in view of the peculiar character of the problem, and of the Consul [Page 746] General’s intimate knowledge of the numerous and intricate factors involved in that problem, is in a better position than is the American Ambassador at Tokyo to present effectively to the Japanese authorities this Government’s views. Accordingly, the American Government has authorized the American Consul General to discuss the matter with his British colleague and to make an informal approach to the Japanese Consul General at Shanghai. The American Government has suggested to its Consul General that, without raising any question of the legalities involved in the Japanese plans, he endeavor to impress upon the Japanese Consul General the advisability of having the Municipal Council police the area in question for the present in order that possible disturbances or incidents may be avoided.