893.00/10062: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—12:45 p.m.]
446. Following from Tientsin:
“June 9, 6 p.m. Northern forces still holding their positions in and around Tientsin. Reported Feng forces have fired on Japanese airplanes with [at?] Taku. Also reported Japanese destroyers [Page 240] escorting steamers to Tientsin has [have] heavily returned fire from river banks.
In view of sniping at American airplanes at Hsinho, several Marine and Army officers are proceeding with Feng’s agents from Tientsin to confer with Feng’s commander for the purpose of informing him of presence American forces at Hsinho and of avoiding any repetition of such incidents. No publicity being given to firing on American airplanes. Probably due to ignorance of their identity. Feng agents very anxious to cooperate to avoid any incidents.”