tained the impression mentioned because it had always been distinctly understood that the request to use the balance of the Red Cross funds to construct a memorial hospital had been made by the Japanese authorities although before making it they ascertained through Hanihara that the American Red Cross would not be averse to the suggestion. He added that they have never had the impression that the recommendation came from American Government and he affirmed that the Japanese authorities did desire to construct this hospital and in fact did not wish to spend the money in any other fashion; that the Japanese Government would not care to undertake the plan which had been recently proposed in some circles of dividing up the funds among a number of existing hospitals; that any other manner of spending the money would open the door to jealousies and greed. It is my personal opinion that any change in the plans of the Red Cross at this late date would have an unfortunate effect on the even trend of the relations now existing between the two countries. WOODS 894.48B/425: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Woods) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, March 13, 1924-5 p.m. 49. Department's 38, March 11, 2 p.m. For Red Cross: "I handed Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs today draft on American Red Cross for $3,000,000 as cash donation to committee having in charge erection and endowment memorial hospital. Baron Matsui requested that I transmit his personal appreciation as well as that of the Japanese Government and people." WOODS 894.48B/456 The Ambassador in Japan (Woods) to the Secretary of State No. 404-E TOKYO, April 2, 1924. SIR: With further reference to the matter of the construction of an American Memorial Hospital in Tokyo, and with special reference to my telegram No. 49, dated March 13th, 5 p.m., on the subject, I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of a Note from the "Not printed. Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs acknowledging the receipt of the draft for $3,000,000, to be used for the construction and maintenance of the Hospital. In that connection Baron Matsui 47 stated: "I venture to state that, from the point of view of humanity, it gives me unbounded pleasure to note that the establishment of the proposed hospital will not only make a great contribution towards the relief of unfortunate patients whose difficulties have considerably increased since the earthquake disaster, but that it will enable the general public to enjoy immense benefits for a long time to come. Furthermore, it will go a long way towards promoting friendship between our two countries by permanently commemorating American sympathy towards Japanese. On behalf of the Japanese Government, I beg leave to express sincere thanks to the Government and people of your country as well as to the United States Red Cross for their sympathy and goodwill as manifested in the present matter. I must also take this opportunity to tender my profound thanks to Your Excellency for the earnest efforts which you have been so good as to exercise from the outset in connection therewith." I am also transmitting copy of the receipt 48 from the Minister for Home Affairs who is Chairman of the Committee on the Establishment of an American Memorial Hospital. I have [etc.] 894.48B/457 CYRUS E. WOODS The Japanese Ambassador (Hanihara) to the Secretary of State No. 44 WASHINGTON, May 2, 1924. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have just received from my Government three volumes containing a selection of nine hundred letters, written in English, by students of High Schools, Colleges and Universities in Japan, in order to express their heartfelt thanks for the prompt, generous and effective relief action taken by the American people at the time of the great earthquake in 1923. In accordance with the earnest request of a delegation representing these students, my Government instructed me to take such steps as may be permissible so that the volumes may be presented to the President of the United States of America. I therefore take the liberty of forwarding these volumes to you, with the request that you will be, if agreeable, so good as to have them transmitted to the desired destination. Accept [etc.] 47 Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jan. to June 1924. "Not printed. M. HANIHARA 894.48B/467 The Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador (Hanihara) WASHINGTON, May 8, 1924. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 44 dated May 2, 1924, forwarding, under separate cover, for transmission to the President, three volumes containing a selection of certain letters written by various Japanese students in appreciation of American relief at the time of the great earthquake, and to inform you that I have forwarded these volumes to the President. I take pleasure in expressing to you, on behalf of the President, sincere appreciation of the feeling which dictated the expressions of gratitude contained in these letters. Accept [etc.] 894.48B/485: Telegram CHARLES E. HUGHES The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Caffery) WASHINGTON, July 3, 1924-6 p.m. 112. In sending for transmission through you to the appropriate Japanese authorities the message quoted below, American National Red Cross suggests that it might not be opportune to make this communication at the present moment. If in your judgment that is the case, you may withhold the message, so advising the Department. "The American Red Cross on July 1, 1924, had an unexpended balance in its Japanese earthquake relief fund amounting to $464,992.64. This balance is wholly at the disposition of the Japanese authorities, and the Red Cross is awaiting instructions indicating their wishes." HUGHES 894.48B/498 The Chargé in Japan (Caffery) to the Secretary of State No. 693-E KARUIZAWA, September 5, 1924. SIR: With reference to previous reports on the subject of loss of life and property in the great earthquake of September 1st, 1923, I have the honor to report that the Social Bureau of the Home Office now announces that the number of families in the devastated regions which suffered "heavy damage" was 684,409, while the number of people killed or seriously injured was 160.000. According to the Bureau, more damage was caused by the fire following the earthquake than by the earthquake, as will be seen in the following table: Another table furnished by the Social Bureau gives the percentage of afflicted families in relation to the total number of families as follows: The number of deaths, missing and injured is given as follows: The total number of deaths, 91,344, includes 43,299 men and 48,045 women. These figures are, of course, open to question and the consensus of opinion in the vernacular press seems to be that they are rather too conservative. I have [etc.] JEFFERSON CAFFERY 894.48B/502 : Telegram The Chargé in Japan (Caffery) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, September 29, 1924-noon. [Received September 29-8:35 a.m.] 247. My telegram no. 228, September 11, 5 p.m.40 I have received a note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs stating that the Japanese 40 Not printed. authorities have come to a decision in this matter.50 The note reads in part as follows: "It has been decided to transfer the greater portion of these balances to fund of the memorial fraternity hospital foundation with the object of establishing another memorial hospital in Yokohama where the consequences of the earthquake disaster were most seriously felt. It has also been decided the remainder amounting to some yen 100,000 shall be used for the purpose of building a memorial seamen's home in that port." CAFFERY 894.48B/505: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Caffery) WASHINGTON, October 22, 1924—5 p.m. 172. Your 247, September 29, noon. Red Cross has deposited with the Department $466,140.88 for which you may draw a draft the proceeds of which you may turn over to the appropriate Japanese authorities. HUGHES UNFAVORABLE ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TOWARD AMERICAN LOANS TO FOREIGN ENTERPRISES COMPETING WITH AMERICAN ENTERPRISES IN THIRD COUNTRIES "1 894.51 Or 4/2 Memorandum by the Economic Adviser of the Department of State (Young) 52 [WASHINGTON,] December 16, 1922. Proposed statement to be made to representatives of the National City Company regarding the proposed loan of $20,000,000 to the Oriental Development Company. The Department of State has given careful consideration to the proposal that bonds of the Oriental Development Company of Tokio should be floated in the United States for the purpose of financing development work in which this company is interested in regions outside of Japan, namely, in the South Sea Islands, Singapore, Straits Settlements, Manchuria and Mongolia. "Disposition of unexpended balance of American Red Cross Japanese earthquake relief fund; see telegram no. 112, July 3, to the Chargé in Japan, p. 501. For previous correspondence on U. S. attitude toward the flotation of foreign loans, see Foreign Relations, 1922, vol. 1, pp. 556 ff. 62 Notation on margin: "Approved by the Sec. and read to Messrs. Ailes and Roberts of Riggs Bank, agents of Nat. City Co., Dec. 16, 3 p.m. by Mr. MacMurray and me. A. N. Y[oung]." |