Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

393.1121/98

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. William R. Langdon of the Division of Four Eastern Affairs⁷⁶

[Washington,] November 17, 1941.

Subject: Detention and removal to Antung for questioning of Reverend Bruce F. Hunt and Dr. and Mrs. Roy M. Byram, American citizens in Harbin.

Mr. Iguchi⁷⁷ today called at his request to supplement the information contained in the attached oral statement replying to the oral statement concerning the above-captioned case handed to the Japanese Ambassador on November 7 by the Secretary.

Mr. Iguchi stated that the Japanese Embassy at Hsinking had informed the Foreign Office in Tokyo that the case of the three missionaries would be disposed of in the same manner as the case of the twelve missionaries in Korea involved in the so-called Prayer Circular Case, that is, by deportation.

Mr. Langdon inquired whether the missionaries were still being detained at Antung. Mr. Iguchi replied that his telegram from Tokyo had not made this clear. Mr. Langdon said that the release of the missionaries was the matter in which this Government was immediately interested. Mr. Iguchi then said that he realized this and that he would telegraph today to Tokyo to find out about the matter and urge immediate release if the missionaries were still held.

Mr. Langdon inquired whether this case was being disposed of by formal judicial proceedings in disregard of United States jurisdiction over American citizens in Manchuria. Mr. Iguchi replied that the procedure was informal in his opinion. Mr. Langdon said that we would in that case expect that the missionaries would be allowed to leave Manchuria voluntarily and at their convenience, and of course from Harbin after having had every opportunity to pack their effects and settle their affairs.

Mr. Langdon pointed out, with respect to the question of leaving voluntarily, that the departure of the three Americans would have to be voluntary in fact, as the United States Government had no power to compel them to leave Manchuria in the absence of proof of guilt and as a very disagreeable situation would arise in our relations with Japan if the missionaries were forcibly deported by the local authorities. The question of departure, Mr. Langdon added, was one for the mission boards and the persons involved to decide.

[Annex]

Oral [Statement]

Reference is made to the oral statement of November 7, 1941, concerning the treatment of three American missionaries in Manchoukuo, and in reply to a telegraphic despatch from this Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, the following information has been received:

“Three American missionaries were detained by the authorities of Manchoukuo in Harbin on October 22 for violation of the law for the maintenance of public peace. In Manchoukuo these missionaries preached to Korean Christian converts to revolutionize Japan and Manchoukuo and advocated non-attendance at shrines, and also organized a secret religious society there.

“The authorities of Manchoukuo have, therefore, decided that they shall leave Manchoukuo.”

76. Initialed by the Chief of the Division (Hamilton).
77. Sadao Iguchi, Counselor of Japanese Embassy.