811.5034 (China) American Radio Service/78: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28, 1941.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s despatch no. 2940 of November 19, 1940,89 in regard to the Franco-Japanese seizure on [Page 930] September 30, 1940, of radio equipment belonging to the American Radio Service, Tientsin.
There is transmitted herewith, for the Department’s further information, a copy of the Tientsin Consulate General’s despatch to the Embassy no. 1259 of December 10, 1940, enclosing copies of four germane documents which are described briefly on pages 1 and 2 of the enclosed despatch.91
In view of the apparent indisposition of the Japanese authorities both in Tientsin and in Peiping to comply with the requests of the Consulate General and the Embassy for the return of the seized radio equipment to the jurisdiction of the American Consular Court at Tientsin, the Embassy is of the opinion that further representations to the Japanese Embassy here would not result in the desired return of the equipment. It is respectfully suggested, therefore, that the Department may wish to have the Embassy in Tokyo take up the matter with the Japanese Foreign Office.92
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy
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- The Ambassador in Japan, complying with the Department’s telegram No. 94, February 8, 1941, 5 p.m., made oral representations to the Japanese Foreign Office on February 13 and, following further instructions, written representations on April 1, but without result (811.5034 (China) American Radio Service/78, 79, 82, 84).↩