390.1115A/97: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
419. Your 1044, October 24, 4 p.m.4 You will note from yesterday’s Radio Bulletin5 that arrangements have been made to provide accommodations at first and second class fares the same as those regularly charged from Yokohama to the Pacific coast by vessels of the transpacific conference except that a substantial reduction is to be made in both classifications for emergency accommodations. As it was necessary for the Department, in order to make the vessels available, to guarantee the shipping company against loss, it will be readily understood that these arrangements have involved substantial financial commitments by the Government amounting to a minimum of several hundred thousand dollars.
The Department has the utmost sympathy for the difficulties which many Americans will face in withdrawing to the United States but is nevertheless constrained to point out that the accommodations provided are available either at the regular conference rates or at reduced rates for emergency accommodations, and that the fares being paid by American citizens are insufficient to pay more than approximately half of the actual cost of the transportation and are proportionately far less, considering the length of the regular trans-Pacific voyage, than fares paid by Americans withdrawing from Europe.
The Department desires that the Consuls in Japan without delay suggest urgently to Americans, especially women and children and men who are not detained by essential reasons, that, in reference to the forthcoming call of the Monterey at Yokohama, they take advantage of transportation facilities while such facilities are available, as it goes without saying that no one can guarantee that such facilities will remain available indefinitely. Please instruct the Consul General at Keijo to take similar action in regard to the Americans in his district. Please inform him that it appears impracticable for either the Monterey or the Mariposa to call at Jinsen because additional diversions would entail serious problems as, for example, in regard to water supplies. The Department believes, in this connection, that Americans in large number withdrawing from Korea will find it less inconvenient to proceed to Japan where the availability of hotel accommodations is undoubtedly greater than in Jinsen.
[Page 943]The Department is communicating with Matson Line officials in regard to the question of giving notice to the Japan and China offices of the American President Lines in regard to the fares.
Please repeat urgently to Peiping for telegraphic communication to and guidance of offices in China, Hong Kong and Indochina.