Evening star., 1941-08-16
Liner Is Refused
.C|earanceWit
u. 5. Citizens
Nipponese Expected
To Try to Cut Route
To VIodivostok
By the Associated Press


in a BritiSh-American stop
Japan" campaign was reported
today almost simultaneously
with disclosure that the japanese
have refused to let steamer re-
move United States citizens from
Japan
The State Department dis
closed Japans refusal to grant
clearance for the liner President
Coolidge to pick up about 100
American citizens in Japan. The
japanese were willing only to let
about 20 American Government
officials leave.
This new tension in the Pacific
developed as an authoritative source
in London reported Russia's promise
to help stop the japanese and Mos
COW accepted an Anglo American
proposal for a three-power war par
ley at the Kremlin.
Since Russia has Siberian Army
estimated to number 100000 pro-
fessional soldiers, the mere promise
of help to America and Britain was
expected in London to cause Japan
to abandon any idea Of further
southwark expansion and to try to
cut off the Siberian port Of Vladi-
vostok before United States mate
rials can still further strengthen
the Russians
The State Department explained
that the question Of evacuatlng
Americans from Japan had been
discussed between the State Depart
ment. the American Embassy at
Toxic and the japanese Foreign
Office.
Permission Refused.
The announcement said:
In accordance with its policy OF
assisting Americans abroad to re-
turn home during the present world
disturbance, the department has re-
Gently haG under active considera-
ton the question of providing trans
portation to the United States for
those American citizens in Japan
who desire to return to this country
and whose plans for return have
been disrupted by the recent cancel
lation of regular sailings Of trans
Pacific passenger vessels from Jap
anese ports.
Consideration was given by this
Government to the possibility of di-
verting to Japan for this purpose,
with the proffered cooperation of
the American President Lines. the
steamship President Coolidge. which
was scheduled to leave Shanghai or
August IA on its homeward voyage.
The time available toward effort
to make the necessary arrange
ments was short. The matter was
discussed between the Department
OF State, the American Embassy at
Toxic and the japanese Foreign
Office. 1t developed that among
American citizens who desired to
take passage from Japan at this
time there were approximately 20
officials and something over 100
private citizens.
The Japanese Foreign Office in
dicated that the japanese govern
ment was willing to permit the
steamship Coolidge to enter Jap
anese port for the purpose only OF
taking off American official per-
sonnel.
Ship Not to Make Call.
Under these circumstances 1t has
seemed advisable and has been de-
cided that the steamship Coolidge
adhere to her regular schedule and
proceed directly from Shanghai to
San Francisco without calling at
japanese port.
The department is continuing to
give its close and serious attention
to the question of providing trans
portation for American citizens de-
string to return to the United States
from Japan. as well as Tor other
Americans elsewhere
While no officials made any i'm
mediate comment on the japanese
governments action it was assumed
the action had been taken in re-
tahation against the United States
because of American freezing
orders.
Under the freezing order several
Japanese ships have been permitted
to enter and leave American ports
but the cargoes discharged in this
country have been frozen"