701.0090/511a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
1645. We are experiencing some difficulty with the Japanese exchange. On June 17 in telephone conversations between Washington and Bern and between Bern and Tokyo the Swiss Minister in Tokyo announced that he had been aboard the Asama Maru, that all the Americans were aboard, and that Grew was satisfied. Several details concerning the agreement were disposed of during those telephone conversations, and he was assured by the Japanese authorities that the vessel would depart immediately. After the Spanish Ambassador in charge of Japanese interests in Washington expressed himself as satisfied and former Ambassador Nomura as content with the arrangements, the Gripsholm departed on June 18 at 11:22 p.m.
On June 20, 2 days after the Gripsholm sailed, we were advised that the Asama Maru had not yet sailed. After telephonic and telegraphic communications through the Spanish Embassy in Washington and the Foreign Office at Madrid, Spanish Ambassador Cardenas received a telegram from Madrid stating that they were advised by the Japanese Legation in Madrid that the Asama Maru had sailed. The Department has been trying through Bern to obtain confirmation of that statement but Bern advised on the 22d and again on the 23d that it was unable to confirm the sailing of either the Asama Maru or the Conte Verde, the latter of which was to carry the evacuees from China.
Telephone conversation between Bern and Tokyo has been interrupted for atmospheric or other similar reasons since early on the 22d. Cabled inquiries from Bern to Tokyo have not been answered.
Department advised by telephone from Bern today that Asama Maru has not sailed.
The Department has carefully considered the American Government’s course vis-à-vis the Gripsholm, and in consultation with other Departments has determined to permit the vessel to proceed on its regular course for Rio de Janeiro where it is due about July 3. If Department is advised that the vessels have sailed from Japan you will be advised.
With this background the Department has several suggestions it desires to make for your guidance:
- First, on arrival in Rio de Janeiro the vessel should be held in the stream or in the outer harbor without access of those aboard to the shore until such time as it is ready to load the passengers and baggage.
- Second, the operation of loading should be completed in the shortest possible time.
- Third, only very carefully selected Brazilian Officials should be permitted aboard and none other than the Spanish or Swiss representatives in their respective capacities of representation of interests should be permitted to board the vessel unless in your discretion a limited number of members of the staffs should do so for the transaction of necessary official business.
- Fourth, a sufficient military guard should be placed around the entrances to the quay so as to exclude from the vicinity of the vessel all persons other than those whose presence is actually necessary to assist those boarding the vessel and placing the baggage aboard.
- Fifth, when the vessel is loaded with passengers and baggage she should immediately be taken from the quay and removed into the outer harbor or into the stream to await orders unless orders have previously been received by you for the captain of the vessel.
- Sixth, in case it should be deemed advisable to place additional passengers of American nationality aboard who subsequently may be named to you, you will be prepared at the proper moment to present the matter effectively to the appropriate authorities in order that their presence aboard may be assured and before the vessel leaves the quay. This is for your own entirely confidential information and for your use only in case the matter is subsequently presented to you.
- Seventh, in case there should be any change in the existing orders of the captain, you will be notified prior to the time the vessel is scheduled to leave Rio de Janeiro.
You should pave the way with the appropriate authorities for an expeditious, orderly, and exact compliance with these requests but you are cautioned not to mention the matter in sub-paragraph 6 above until that should develop to be necessary.
For the information of the Brazilian Government you may state that the personnel aboard this vessel includes very competent officers of the Japanese Navy from the rank of Admiral down, as well as a number of members of the military and naval reserve forces, the leaders of whom have shown every indication of being in a surly state of mind. Considering the circumstances as a whole as outlined to you above, the Brazilian authorities will be able to understand the reasons for the desires now expressed by the American Government and we hope will be inclined to cooperate with you to the fullest extent and to make such disposition of their official, military, and naval forces in the neighborhood of the quay as will secure the situation there. You are instructed to approach the appropriate officials in confidence and request their cooperation.