222

 

Department of State Bulletin, vol. V, p. 78

 

Statement Issued by the White House on July 26, 1941

 

In view of the unlimited national emergency declared by the Presi­dent, he issued, on July 26, an Executive order freezing Japanese assets in the United States in the same manner in which assets of various European countries were frozen on June 14, 1941. This measure, in effect, brings all financial and import and export trade transactions in which Japanese interests are involved under the control of the Government and imposes criminal penalties for viola­tion of the order.

This Executive order, just as the order of June 14, 1941, is designed among other things to prevent the use of the financial facil­ities of the United States and trade between Japan and the United States in ways harmful to national defense and American inter­ests, to prevent the liquidation in the United States of assets obtained by duress or conquest, and to curb subversive activities in the United States.

At the specific request of Generalissimo Chiang Kai‑shek, and for the purpose of helping the Chinese Government, the President has, at the same time, extended the freezing control to Chinese assets in the United States. The administration of the licensing system with respect to Chinese assets will be conducted with a view to strengthen­ing the foreign trade and exchange position of the Chinese Govern­ment. The inclusion of China in the Executive Order, in accordance with the wishes of the Chinese Government, is a continuation of this Government's policy of assisting China.

 

(PEACE AND WAR, UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY 1931-1941,  UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE  WASHINGTON: 1943)