[Secret]
 
 
From: Tokyo
To: Canton
December 6, 1941
Purple
#225 (Strictly secret)
 

 

Re your #516 [a].

You are to note the following points:

 

1. In your communication to the British and American Consuls, the statement, "We will take over the concessions and other interests", is not necessarily accurate so you had better change it to "We will place the settlements and other interests under the control of the Imperial Army."

 

2. The evacuation of the Consular staffs and resident Nationals of hostile nations will have to parallel and coincide with measures concerning the departure of our Consular staffs and our resident Nationals, so when you receive orders from Headquarters you may proceed to handle this matter.

 

3. Public property of hostile nations, Consulates, and buildings will be seized or commandeered and after being sealed they will be in our custody.

 

4. Private property, even though it might serve us in some military way, cannot be seized. It might merely be taken over and kept under surveillance.

 
(Japanese)
 
 
Army 25997                                            Trans. 12/9/41 (5)
 
[a] Not available.

 

(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 1 INTERCEPTED DIPLOMATIC MESSAGES SENT BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN JULY l AND DECEMBER 8, 1941)