Press Release Issued by the Department of State on September 10, 193744
Announcement
The conflict in the Far East has resulted in the creation of a danger zone along the coast of China which makes it dangerous for American merchant vessels to operate in the adjacent waters.
The Japanese authorities have announced a blockade of the entire coast from Chinwangtao to Pakhoi against the entrance or egress of Chinese shipping.
The Chinese authorities have announced their intention, in view of the blockade, to take appropriate action against all Japanese naval vessels along the Chinese coast and have requested that naval and merchant vessels of third powers avoid proximity to Japanese naval vessels and military transports and have their respective national colors painted on their top decks in a conspicuous manner.
The Chinese authorities have also announced the following:
- (a)
- The mouth of Min Kiang River in Fukien Province has been closed to navigation, and all shipping through that place has been suspended as of September 4.
- (b)
- Beginning September 9 no foreign merchant vessels will be permitted to navigate at night in waters between Bocca Tigris forts and Canton.
The Department has been informed that the Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department is including the above announcement in the Hydrographic Radio Bulletin to be issued today and in the Daily Memorandum for the information of mariners, issued by the Hydrographic Office, under the heading “Caution Regarding Dangers to Merchant Ships in Far Eastern Waters.”
- Reprinted from Department of State, Press Releases, September 11, 1937 (vol. xvii, No. 415), p. 223.↩