811.79690 Pan American Airways/133: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 21—7:40 a.m.]
188. Following is translation of an informal note received last night from the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“Tokyo March 20, 1938. My dear Ambassador: According to the recent report from the commander of a large number of Japanese warships anchored in the vicinity of the Manshan Islands, which lie at the head of Canton Bay, for the purpose of blocking communications along the coast of South China, on March 11, at about 3:30 P.M., a flying boat (high winged monoplane) proceeding from the direction of Hong Kong flew over the Manshan Islands toward Macao. It was concluded from the appearance of the machine and from the course it was flying that it was a commercial machine, and, therefore, the Japanese warships and airplanes did not attack it. Further, it was ascertained from subsequent investigations that the machine was an airplane belonging to the Pan American Airways.
However, according to most recent reports received by the Japanese Government, Chinese airplanes are frequently active in the vicinity of Canton, and, consequently, the Japanese Navy cannot neglect preparations for ordinary offensive operations. British airplanes in Hong Kong are for the present refraining from flying over the vicinity of the Manshan Islands. In view of the possibility that, due to flights over such area by airplanes of the Pan American Airways, some unfortunate error involving the Japanese Navy might occur, I have the honor to request that measures be urgently taken with a view to flights over the Manshan Islands not being undertaken for the time being.”
Please instruct.
Repeated to Shanghai for relay to Hankow.