894.512/46: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 18—6:30 a.m.]
387. Department’s 98, March 19, 3 p.m., and Embassy’s despatch 2847 [2841] March 29.30 The Embassy has received from the Foreign Office a reply to my note of March 23 concerning the payment by American citizens of special taxes levied in connection with the present China Incident. The reply in translation states in part:
“I regret that I must reply once more that after giving very careful consideration to the views of your Government towards this matter, the Imperial Government, for the reasons stated separately, is unable to withdraw its contentions in regard to this affair.”
The Japanese Government bases its position largely on the interpretation of the phrase “military exactions or contributions” as employed in the Treaty of Commerce as being forcible levies made during an emergency by the military authorities themselves.
Full text of the reply being forwarded by mail.
- Latter not printed.↩