793.94/12432: Telegram

The Consul General at Canton ( Linnell ) to the Secretary of State

Foreign flag, chiefly British, Canton bound river steamers including A. P. C.94 oil lighters on first voyage following reopening of river signaled and boarded by two parties from three Japanese destroyers below Bocca Tigris yesterday and warned dangerous to proceed because forts likely to be shelled. China navigation steamer Fatshan proceeded Canton despite warning without incident reporting a few shells heard but no bombardment. All other vessels returned Hong Kong or Macao. Believed Japanese hoped by action to discourage river traffic.

Press reports recent courtesy visit to Canton of Eighth Route Army representative.

Mailed Hong Kong, Tokyo.

Linnell
  1. Asiatic Petroleum Company (British).