Evening star., 1941-12-08
japanese Diplomats
To Be Guaranteed
Safe Return Home
Nomuru and Kurusu
Nay Be Held Until
Grew Leaves Toxic
By BLAIR BOLLES.

DIV bLAlh bOLLES.
Announcement of arrangements
for the protected departure of Japa-
nese diplomats from Washington was
expected momentarily today to come
from the State Department, and the
handsome white stone japanese EN-
bassy at 2514 Massachusetts avenue
NV. soon will be but an untenanted
reminder of the DAYS when Japan
and the United States used to avow
their friendship beneath the SYM
bolie setting of the Japanese cherry
trees that shade Potomac Park.
The diplomats-headed by Am
hAssador Kichisaburo Nomura, who
arrived here last February IA and
eonsuls are ready to go. Members
q the Embassy staff yesterday
burned their code books In an out
ads fire behind the Embassy, on
The grassy slope that runs down into
Rock Greek Park. Newspaper men
watched while the Japanese secrets
we're fed into the cracking flames.
1he ffre Of private papers burned
- brightly IN the ONCE OF the San
Francisco Japanese Consul. Joshio
MIto, that the Fire Department
hurried to the scene. A wall of the
consulate broke into flames. The
Consul In New Orleans, Keno Ito.
burned his papers in the back yard
while police on special detail
watched with unconcern.
Safety Guaranteed.
International protocol dictates
guarantees of safe conduct for the
diplomats and consular officers Of
the enemy nation. But the same
protocol and practice allows for
every precaution, which includes
sending diplomats from the Capital
10 the seaport Of embarkation in
railroad cars sealed to prevent their
communicating with other persons.
In following these dictates. the
United States is mindful of its As
diplomats and consular officers in
Japan and Japan-held territory,
chief OF whom is Joseph C. Grew,
the American Ambassador in Toxic
for the past 10 years. Our repre-
sentatives in Japan-held territory
on the Asiatic continent are at
Dsiren. Kijo and Shanghai.
There is An unsubstantiated re-
port here that the United States
intends to hold Ambassador Nomura
and Special Envoy Saburo Kurusu.
the peace" emissarv. in San Fran
cisco until Washington knows that
Mr.. Grew and his staff are safely
on their way TO American territory.
War came three weeks and one
day after Mr. Kurusus arrival in
Washington. Whatever might have
been his own honest intentions in
his mission. his conversations with
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hull served the Toxic government as
. screen for its preparations to
strike against the United States.
In keeping with protocol re-
ouirements, special police details
have been guarding the Japanese
Embassy and the homes of members
of the Embassy staff-25 strong
since YESTERDAY afternoon At the
request of the White House A police
until the Gay We resume relations
with Janar.
Japanese- Protected.
The State Department made
public announcement of the official
solicitude for the well-being of
Japan's ofhcial representatives in
the United States.
Immediately upon receiving news
OF the japanese attack upon Ha-
wall" the department stated. the
American Government took steps to
see that absolute protection was ac-
corded the japanese official estab-
lishments and official personnel with
in the jurisdiction of the United
States"
The Offices guaranteed protection
include a consulate general in Homo
lulu. consulate general in Manila
and a consulate in Davao. Philippine
Islands. No reports have come OF
threats against these Offices, al
though they are in the zone of bat
tie action already in progress.
Before the Japanese Embassy 8
crowd of $50 to 200 persons gathered
yesterday afternoon to watch the
activities within. Shades were drawI
over the windows of the chancery-
the business Office of the Embassy
The building is shaped like an L
with the Embassy proper set bacl
from the street and the chancery
coming down from it at right angle
- ho
walk.
Attaches walked about the roof o.
one-story chancery, peeping owe
the high ledge to gauge the tempe
Of the crowd. which for the mos
part was good natued. Occasion
ally cry would ring out. Come out
you -, come on out" Secre
taries and attaches arriving at thu
chancery from their homes wer,
booed as they turned their KEYS II
the front door and hurriedly popped
inside
Visitors Watched Closely.
The roof watchers occasionally
took motion pictures of the crowd
Persons who rang the door bell were
scrutinized by members of the staf
in the chancery. who drew back tn,
shade on the right-hand window II
see who was calling. Only telegraph
messengers and japanese were ad
mitted.
The high gates to the driveway
leading up to the main entrance o.
the Embassy were locked. Abou
4:30 pm. police chased from behinc
the Embassy q throng of citizen
interested in the progress OF tn,
mysteries within. A detail Of fou
police, guided by Commissioner Gu,