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  4. Document 171

793.94/13240: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, June 16, 1938—7 p.m.
[Received June 16—12:06 p.m.]

851. Your 381, June 15, 6 p.m.3 Following is my June 13, 7 p.m., to Tokyo:

“June 13, 7 p.m. My 812, June 11, noon4 and 813, June 11, 1 p.m.5

1.
I have communicated a reply to Minister Tani, the substance of which is as follows:

‘I have been advised by Admiral Yarnell that there are no United States vessels in the Yangtze between Wuhu and Hukow at this date. However, Admiral Yarnell plans to visit in that vicinity on the 24th and 25th off shore in the U. S. S. Isabel. It will depend on what assistance American nationals may need in that locality as to future presence of our vessels there, at which time due notice will be given to both the Chinese and Japanese, and this will include areas above Hukow. Admiral Yarnell also adds that due care will be taken as to unnecessary exposure in those areas, but that assistance to Americans evacuating is of paramount importance to the Navy and will be carried out; and the information given in Tani’s letter of June 11 does not in the slightest degree relieve the Japanese Government of responsibility for any harm to our vessels or personnel. Further, that our vessels are painted white and have large flags painted on their awnings, and should be apparent [at?] several thousand feet altitude.’

2.
It is suggested, with which suggestion Ambassador Johnson concurs, that the substance of the foregoing be communicated, in your discretion, to the appropriate Japanese authorities. Lockhart.”

This telegram was not repeated to Department by an oversight.

Following is my June 13, 10 a.m., to Hankow:

“June 13, 10 a.m. Your June 12, 2 p.m. I believe Admiral Yarnell’s 0012–10326 should be telegraphed to the proper authorities with a view to the Ambassador, in his discretion, communicating the substance to the Foreign Office. Please instruct me. Lockhart.”

Following is Ambassador Johnson’s reply:

“June 13, 2 p.m. Your June 13, 10 a.m. Your suggestion approved. Please telegraph Tokyo.7 Johnson[.”]

Repeated to Hankow.

Lockhart
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 597.↩
  3. Ibid., p. 598.↩
  4. See telegram No. 286, June 12, 1 p.m., from the Ambassador in China, ibid., p. 600.↩
  5. For action at Tokyo on June 14, see ibid., p. 601.↩