793.94/9343: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Nanking, August 13,
1937—3 p.m.
[Received August 13—1:11 p.m.]
[Received August 13—1:11 p.m.]
418. Second paragraph of Embassy’s 415, August 13, 8 a.m.75
- 1.
- U. S. S. Tutuila which left down river from Nanking yesterday reports today that according to a merchant vessel the obstruction in the river is at mileage 80 above Woosung and it is picketed by Chinese gunboat. The Tutuila indicated that it had received directions insuring safe passage and has been asked by naval superior to report further. Formal notification of the blocking of the river has been issued to foreign Diplomatic Missions by the Foreign Office; substance will be reported later.
- 2.
- According to Japanese Embassy, Japanese merchant vessel proceeding down river which left Nanking yesterday afternoon carrying Japanese consular officers from Hankow and other up river ports, has returned to Chinkiang because of the blocking of the river and request is being made of Chinese naval authorities to permit the ship to pass to Shanghai.
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Shanghai, Hankow. Tokyo being informed.
Johnson