393.1121/102: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7—1:36 a.m.]
1876. Department’s 778, November 25, 9 a.m. [p.m.]80 (received November 30), detention of Byrams and Hunt. On December 1 further [Page 904] oral representations were made to the Foreign Office along the lines of the Department’s oral statement and related remarks to the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy at Washington. This morning an “oral statement” was received by messenger from the Foreign Office which is translated as follows:
“According to a report received by the Foreign Office concerning the case of Mr. and Mrs. Byram and Mr. Hunt they are to be added [treated?] ‘in the light of the laws of Manchukuo[’] with reference to their early trials and their examination is now in progress. It has also been reported that efforts are being made on the part of Manchukuo for the prompt disposition of the case and that such disposition is expected to be completed about the middle of December.”
The Embassy will continue its efforts to bring about the early release of the arrested Americans. It is felt that too great an emphasis at the present time on the extraterritorial features of this case would only serve to delay action.
Peiping, please repeat to Harbin and Mukden. Sent to the Department, repeated to Chungking, Mukden, Harbin.
- Not printed.↩