390.1115A/137: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—10:30 p.m.]
1062. For some little time before the radio and circularization of the Department’s 381, October 6, 2 p.m., suggesting evacuation, Americans have been liquidating their affairs and departing for home. This exodus has been stimulated by the Department’s 381 but the number who have already left or are preparing to leave on the relief ships now en route is not large. It includes practically no Americans of Japanese race and probably less than 20 percent of Caucasian Americans with established residences in Japan. Those who have recently left and those planning to leave before the end of the year fall into three main categories:
- (a)
- Missionaries and teachers. This group has been under steadily increasing pressure from the Japanese and due to recent ruling that foreigners can not occupy positions of authority over Japanese in church organizations and in missionary sponsored educational establishments, and that no funds will be accepted from abroad for work in these field [s], many missionaries and teachers have either resigned or have been dismissed. Some, badly disillusioned, have returned or are about to return to the United States but a majority are still remaining in the hope that the present period of oppression may pass. Some missionaries fully intend to go eventually but need time for the orderly liquidation of their affairs, some being morally responsible for sizeable investments of American capital. Also they do not wish to flee in a manner that might have harmful effect upon Japanese Christians.
- (b)
- Women and children. Some in this group are going simply because they are nervous; others, especially mothers with small children, are leaving because life has become difficult owing [to] difficulty [of] securing milk, eggs and special baby foods and supplies.
- (c)
- Business men and their families. Financial and trading restrictions are already severe and growing worse. Bulk of imports consists of goods destined for military purposes or essential industrial raw materials needed for reasons [of] national economy. Japanese shipping, banking and trading firms have practical monopoly on all of this business. American business men and their families who have left or are planning to leave are taking this course largely because there is little or no business left for them.
Included in this business category are the wives and dependents of the various branches in Japan of the National City Bank and [Page 945] Standard-Vacuum Oil Company. Small group of wives and children of these two concerns left fortnight ago. The oil women left on direct orders from New York office and presumably this was also case with bank families. Incidentally it is reported that a further order from bank headquarters has been received directing prompt departure of remaining women and children of bank, including wife [of] Far Eastern supervisor.
Americans in Japan are much calmer than those in China, and in my opinion it will take more than mere suggestions to move many of them. It is reported, without confirmation, that the American school at Peiping has already announced its closing and the school in Shanghai is expected to follow suit at any moment. In Japan, on the other hand, the Canadian Academy at Kobe, the leading school in the [country?] for primary and secondary education of English speaking children, announced after recent poll of parents that, out of total enrollment of 202 children, 22 have left or are known to be planning to leave in next 30 days, 14 are undecided, and 159 have definitely stated that they expect to continue as long as teaching facilities are available. The American school [here?] reports similar conditions. It expects to lose approximately 20% of total enrollment by end of year.
On the Asiatic mainland (especially Korea and North China) several hundred American citizens are reported to be anxiously awaiting evacuation ships, while in Japan, in spite of prompt and wide publicity given to Department’s evacuation messages, less than 50 persons have actually made definite plans to sail on Monterey, the first evacuation ship due here in 3 days.
Some reasons why very few Americans outside Japan are sailing on Monterey:
- (a)
- Poor teamwork between Matson, Maritime Commission and American President Lines with result that latter received particulars of fares, accommodations, et cetera, at 11th hour.
- (b)
- The tentative fare originally mentioned, namely minimum of $450, was considerably higher than normal charge for direct trans-Pacific journey and beyond the means of many people. The biggest group of our Caucasian citizens are merchants and teachers and members of this group customarily travel second or tourist class. The reduced rates later authorized are reasonable but unfortunately came too late for many potentially interested families.
- (c)
- The trip home via China, Hong Kong, Manila and Australia is too long for business executives and also for women with small children used to plenty of servants but now unable to take along Japanese nurses and governesses.
- (d)
- It is understood that the vessel will not accept household effects or other freight and people with valuable furnishings, libraries, etc., [Page 946] do not wish to leave such property behind when conditions are tense and their return uncertain.
- (e)
- Bona fide residents of Japan travelling directly to America may secure without special authorization the foreign exchange equivalent of five [500?] yen, that is approximately $115, but this privilege is not open to travellers proceeding to Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Monterey’s call at these ports is incidental to return voyage to America but Japanese officials are inclined to interpret regulations strictly and refuse exchange permits to intending passengers of Monterey. Embassy is taking this matter up informally and hopes for some relief but even if representations [are] successful, the reaction will come too late for some who might otherwise have embarked on Monterey.
Sent to the Department via Shanghai.