visits of Gold Star to Palau, Saipan and Truk would not be agreeable but visits to Yokohama, Kobe and Miike would be agreeable. GREW 8621.01/329 The Consul at Yokohama (Boyce) to the Secretary of State No. 315 YOKOHAMA, June 25, 1937. [Received July 12.] SIR: I have the honor to report, as of possible interest to the Department, that an officer of this Consulate has had several interviews with Captain Alfred Parker, who was an applicant at this office for a Section 3 (2) Non-immigration Visa, concerning his experiences and observations while stranded in the Japanese Mandated Islands. Captain Parker, a Norwegian subject, was the captain of the M. S. Fijian, a motorship under Panamanian registry and owned by Flood Brothers, 444 Market Street, San Francisco, California, which sank after an explosion, on March 25, 1937, near the island of Majuro. The captain and crew, consisting of Norwegian and Chinese nationals, were rescued by the Japanese vessel, Shinko Maru. They were taken by this vessel to the island of Ahrno. After staying at Ahrno for 36 hours, the Shinko Maru proceeded to the island of Jaluit. At Jaluit the captain and crew of the Fijian disembarked under police supervision. They remained on this island from March 28 to April 24, on which date they sailed on the Kasagi Maru for Yokohama. En route to Yokohama, the vessel made brief stops at the islands of Kusaie, Ponape, Truk and Saipan. According to Captain Parker he was questioned by the police on 21 different occasions during his stay at Jaluit. He believes that the police regarded him as a spy of some foreign nation and for that reason greatly restricted his freedom of action on Jaluit and refused to allow him or the members of the crew to land at any of the islands visited en route to Yokohama. Captain Parker stated that Jaluit has an excellent harbor which can only be entered by vessels under the guidance of pilots familiar with the reef formations in the channel. There were three Japanese Naval Destroyers and one Airplane Carrier stationed in Jaluit harbor. The Captain saw no indications of fortifications on the island. While on Jaluit Captain Parker became acquainted with Mr. Carl Heine, a missionary representative of the American Foreign Board of Missions, who has been on the islands for 48 years. Mr. Heine travels throughout the Mandated Islands in his work and is acquainted with a number of Japanese naval officers. Mr. Heine stated that these officers had told him that their naval plans provided for the immediate capture of Guam in case of war between Japan and the United States. Captain Parker also stated that Mr. Heine did not believe that the Japanese would allow him to leave the islands. Captain Parker observed from the vessel on the voyage to Yokohama that a large airport was being constructed on the island of Kusaie. He stated that of the islands visited radio stations were located on Jaluit, Truk and Saipan. The Consulate has no way of verifying Captain Parker's statements. 811.3394/258: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) WASHINGTON, July 20, 1937-7 p. m. 120. Navy Department proposes that the U. S. S. Gold Star make informal visits to Palau August 30 to September 1, Truk September 6 to 8 and Saipan September 11 to 13. If you perceive no objection, inquire of Foreign Office whether proposed visits are agreeable and cable reply received as soon as possible.26 Reference is made to Department's mail instruction No. 1294, July 7,27 which you probably have not yet received. HULL 894.0144/29 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) No. 1351 WASHINGTON, October 12, 1937. SIR: Reference is made to the Embassy's despatch no. 2133 of November 13, 1936 28 in which it was stated that an official of the Japanese Foreign Office had called at the Embassy to make inquiries regarding the identity of an airplane which flew over the Island of Rota on October 26, 1936. The Department is now in receipt of a letter, a copy of which is enclosed,27 from Pan American Airways Company of New York, in which it is stated that on or about October 25, 1936, an aircraft of the Pan American Airways System, under the command of Captain Musick, was proceeding from Midway to Guam and may have flown over the Island of Rota, although it is Captain Musick's belief that 26 On August 2 a Japanese note refused permission for the visits (811.3394/267). 27 Not printed. 28 Foreign Relations, 1936, vol. IV, p. 992. 205655-54- -52 he flew to the north of the island. It will be noted that the Pan American Airways Company has again brought to the attention of its personnel its instructions to avoid unauthorized flight over foreign territory or territorial waters. Very truly yours, For the Secretary of State: R. WALTON MOORE ASSISTANCE BY JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IN SEARCH FOR MISSING AIRPLANE OF MISS AMELIA EARHART 800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/140 Memorandum by Mr. Joseph W. Ballantine of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs of a Conversation With the Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy (Hayama) [WASHINGTON,] July 5, 1937. Mr. Hayama informed Mr. Ballantine over the telephone that the Japanese Embassy had received an urgent telegram from Tokyo asking that inquiry be made of this Government whether the Japanese Government could be of assistance in connection with the search for Amelia Earhart, in view of the fact that Japan had radio stations and warships in the Marshall Islands. Mr. Ballantine expressed his appreciation of the kind offer of the Japanese Government and said that he would refer it at once to the authorities of the American Government. Mr. Ballantine got into touch with Mr. Hornbeck 30 who communicated with Admiral Leahy. Mr. Ballantine then communicated to Mr. Hayama the reply of Admiral Leahy, which reply Mr. Hornbeck had relayed to Mr. Ballantine. Mr. Ballantine told Mr. Hayama that the Navy had received a faint message which offered a clue that Miss Earhart's plane might be down at a spot about 200 miles north of Howland Island, that the U. S. S. Lexington was now on its way to the spot from the Pacific Coast, and the Colorado from Honolulu, but that as the spot in question was some days sailing distant, if the Japanese Government had any vessels which could reach the spot earlier any assistance they could give would be appreciated. Mr. Ballantine said that the search was being directed by the Naval Commandant at Honolulu, and suggested that the Japanese Navy get into touch with the Commandant for latest developments and in regard to arrangements for cooperation. Mr. Hayama said that the Embassy would telegraph Tokyo immediately. 30 Stanley K. Hornbeck, Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs. 81 Chief of Naval Operations. 800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/141 Memorandum by Mr. William T. Turner of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs of a Conversation With the Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy (Hayama) [WASHINGTON,] July 6, 1937. Mr. Hayama telephoned that the Naval Attaché of the Japanese Embassy had been informed that the Japanese Navy Department had instructed the survey ship Koshu, 2500 tons, which is now somewhere in the South Seas, to take part in the search for the airplane of Miss Earhart and to get into touch with Japanese vessels near the place where Miss Earhart's airplane is reported to have been lost. 800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/143: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) WASHINGTON, July 10, 1937-2 p. m. 107. The authorities of the Navy Department and the relatives of Miss Earhart express the opinion that if Miss Earhart's plane was forced down on the ocean it may have drifted, because of the prevailing currents, in the general direction of the Gilbert Islands. In view of the urgency of the time element involved please endeavor to advise the appropriate authorities of the Japanese Government immediately of these facts and state to them that because of the generous offer of assistance tendered by the Japanese Government and because of the continuing interest which the Japanese Government has taken in the search for Miss Earhart's plane, your Government suggests that if any suitable vessels or airplanes of the Japanese Government are located in or near the Gilbert Islands they may be asked to be on the lookout for Miss Earhart's plane. Please telegraph such reply as may be made to you by the Japanese Government. HULL 800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/144: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, July 11, 1937-11 a. m. [Received July 10-11:55 p. m.] 188. Department's 107, July 10, 2 p. m. Contents of Department's telegram under reference communicated immediately to Senior Aide to the Navy Minister who stated that no Japanese aircraft in that area but survey ship Koshu has proceeded toward Marshall Islands and should now be there. Japanese radio stations have been ordered to be on continuous watch for Earhart signals and many Japanese fishing craft in and to east of Marshall Islands have been instructed to be on lookout. The Senior Aide expressed greatest willingness to cooperate.32 GREW 800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/160 The Japanese Ambassador (Saito) to the Secretary of State No. 158 [WASHINGTON, undated].33 SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your note of July 15, 1937 34 concerning the assistance which is being given by my Government in the search for Miss Earhart. The Japanese Government and people will, I assure you, appreciate highly the kind sentiments of the President and yourself which you are good enough to convey in your note and which I have had the pleasure of transmitting to Tokyo. I should like to take the opportunity of expressing the deep concern of the whole Japanese nation that no trace of Miss Earhart has yet been found. Accept [etc.] HIROSI SAITO FAILURE OF JAPAN TO GIVE SATISFACTORY ASSURANCES THAT AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICERS IN JAPAN HAVE THE RIGHT TO VISIT AMERICAN CITIZENS UNDER DETENTION OR ARREST IN JAPAN 394.1121 Keoahu, David L./2 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew) No. 1335 WASHINGTON, September 14, 1937. SIR: Reference is made to the ultimate sentence of the Embassy's despatch No. 2523 of August 4, 1937,34 in which it is suggested that if the Department should decide not to proceed toward the conclusion of the proposed consular convention with Japan it would be helpful for the Embassy and consular offices in Japan to receive standing instructions in regard to the policy which should be followed in cases wherein the Japanese authorities refuse to permit American consular offices to communicate with American citizens under detention or arrest. 32 The Department's telegram No. 109, July 12, noon, expressed "appreciation of Japanese Government's cooperation." (800.79611 Putnam, Amelia Earhart/ 149) 33 Received in the Department July 20. 84 Not printed. |