793.94/9330: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—5 a.m.]
415. 1. August 12, 10 p.m., the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy telephoned to Peck for my information under instructions from his Foreign Office, that the danger at Shanghai was caused by the increase in the numbers of the Peace Preservation Corps and their threatening preparations. He added that Government troops were occupying the North Station and that there was an especially threatening concentration near the Japanese military headquarters. He urged that the Ambassadors try to persuade the Chinese authorities to withdraw their forces since the Japanese landing party could not withdraw and no other method was possible to separate the opposing forces.
2. The British and American naval commanders here were informed yesterday afternoon by the senior naval officer in command that the Yangtze had been blocked at an undesignated point above Woosung. The Ministry of the Navy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both refused to confirm this although the former informally admitted it might be true and stated that the passage of vessels was very dangerous. They said an official announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be made in due course.
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Shanghai, Hankow.