393.1163AM33/57: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16—11:35 a.m.]
110. Peiping’s telegram 111, February 15, 4 p.m. Following informal note sent to Minister Foreign Affairs at 8 p.m., yesterday on receipt of Peiping’s telegram above referred to.
“I have just received information from Peiping which comes from Japanese military sources to the effect that Japanese scouting planes which have passed over the city of Chengchow have observed Chinese military trains standing in the immediate vicinity of American property. I have been warned that this American property will be in danger from attacks from the air if these military trains remain near them.
It is not possible for me this evening to obtain confirmation of this report but I feel that you would not wish me to await confirmation before I brought it to your attention, having confidence as I do in the Chinese Government’s desire to afford every protection possible to American lives and property in the course of the present unfortunate hostilities.”
Repeated to Peiping. Please repeat to Tokyo.