894.711/82: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 25—9:20 a.m.]
317. With reference to Peiping’s despatch No. 156 of October 1, 194139 in regard to Japanese interference with American mails, the following is the substance of the reply of the Japanese Embassy dated October 14th to the various representations of this Embassy.
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your notes of August 22, September 3, September 17, and October 1 regarding the alleged censorship of and interference with mail addressed to American consular offices and nationals in North China.
An investigation into the matter by the competent Japanese authorities and the Chinese authorities concerned has resulted in the following findings:
- 1.
- Neither the Japanese military authorities nor the Chinese authorities have on any occasion tampered with or opened official mail addressed to the American Consuls at Chefoo and Tsingtao as charged.
- 2.
- No action has been taken either by the Japanese military authorities or the Chinese authorities to prevent the delivery of American periodicals, such as Time, Life and others addressed to local American citizens. The same also applies to the alleged nondelivery of mail matters addressed to Americans in Fenchow, Shansi.
With regard to other alleged delays in the delivery of mail matters, it is pointed out that neither the Japanese nor Chinese authorities have followed or intend to adopt a discriminatory policy as regards mail addressed to Americans. If by any chance however any delay occurs, this is dictated purely by reasons of military necessity within areas where large-scale military operations are being conducted. At such times it is obvious that the transportation of goods and the despatch of mail by the public at large, including foreigners, may unavoidably be delayed. It is therefore difficult to understand the American allegation that American mail matters in particular are being singled out for illegal interference.”
The Embassy has recently received reports from the Consulate at Tsinanfu. These reports are en route by mail to the Department and to the Embassy at Tokyo.
In view of the evasiveness of the Japanese Embassy’s reply it is not believed that further representations on this subject at Peiping will serve any useful purpose.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking and Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩