393.115/11–3049: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hong Kong (Rankin)
TelCan 774. [For Chargé Strong:] Request you deliver urgently to FonMin fol note re attack Sir John Franklin. (Shanghai’s 4960, Nov 28 rptd Hong Kong as telCan 775; Shanghai’s 4961, Nov. 28,16 rptd Hong Kong telCan 776.)
“The Amer Emb presents its compliments to the Ministry of Fon-Affs and has the honor to express the serious concern of the US Govt with regard to the attack made on the Amer flagship Sir John Franklin by a Chi Naval vessel on Nov 28 in the Yangtze River approaches.
[Page 1176]It is the understanding of the US Govt, as reported by the Master of the Sir John Franklin, that in reply to the Chi Naval vessel’s signal to stop the Master signalled as follows:
‘Unable anchor here due deep draft. Pls board me underway or accompany me to deep water at Foo Ching Buoy’.
The Master of the Sir John Franklin reported that without making any further signal the Chi Naval vessel opened fire, whereupon the Master decided to proceed immed at full speed since to have anchored as instructed would have resulted in the ship’s going aground at low tide. Shortly thereafter a second Chi Naval vessel, which was anchored nearby, weighed anchor and pursued the Sir John Franklin maintaining an almost continuous barrage of fire. In his statement the Master said that the Sir John Franklin sustained damage from several 3–inch shells and numerous rounds of 40–mm shells; that one shell, apparently aimed at the bridge, struck an object from which it ricocheted into an officer’s vacant quarters and there exploded. The Master has expressed his belief that this shell would have killed or injured everyone on the bridge had it not been deflected. Some time later having reached sufficiently deep water, the Master stated, the Sir John Franklin’s engines were stopped at a point approximately 13 miles from Kiutoan Spit Buoy and preparations were made to anchor. The pursuing Naval vessel was so informed by signals but made no reply and continued firing. The Master of the Sir John Franklin, therefore, again ordered his vessel to proceed at full speed.
As the ChiGov was informed by the Emb’s note of June 29, 1949, in the absence of a declaration and maintenance of an effective blockade the US Govt cannot admit to the legality of action on the part of the ChiGov in declaring certain Chi ports and territorial waters adjacent thereto, not actually under control of the ChiGov closed to fon vessels. The action of the Chi Naval vessel in indiscriminately and wantonly firing on an Amer flagship and thus endangering Amer lives was unjustiable and contrary to the law and practice of nations. Accordingly the US Govt holds the Chi Natl Govt fully responsible for any losses sustained by Amer natls as a result of these reckless acts.
Further, the Govt of the US is contrained to point out to the Chi Natl Govt the seriousness with which it views this attack upon Amer life and property. It is therefore requested that the ChiNatlGovt immed issue such orders as will preclude the possibility of any future incident of this nature.
The Ministry’s early reply will be appreciated.”
ConGen Taipei shld discuss matter orally with Chen Cheng or other appropriate Chi official informing him of action being taken in Hong Kong and shld hand him copy of note.
- Not printed.↩