793.94/10939: Telegram
The Commander in Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet (Yarnell) to the Chief of Naval Operations
[Received 10:40 a.m.]
0002. The Japanese Military Commander, General Matsui, was represented by the Japanese Military Attaché, General Harada, and by Consul General Okazaki this morning in my conference at which the senior British, French, Italian, and Netherlands naval officers also were present. I expressed my regret at not being able to confer with General Matsui directly, and plainly and emphatically informed the Japanese that a very grave situation was being created by the killing and wounding of neutral uniformed men and noncombatants through the firing of shells and the dropping of bombs into the Shanghai International Settlement and French Concession and that it is most essential that the recurrence of such incidents be prevented in the future by the taking of effective steps. It was deemed to be most important for General Matsui to realize the situation’s gravity and for both neutral arid Japanese authorities to make every effort by conference or other practicable means for the avoidance of future incidents.
In reply, the Japanese stated that, since the Chinese were entrenched west of the Settlement immediately in the neighborhood of British and French troops, a very difficult situation existed, for it was necessary to shell and to drop bombs close to the boundary in order to dislodge the Chinese, and some would inevitably occasionally drop on neutral territory. Orders had been issued, however, against shelling or bombing the immediate neighborhood, and the Japanese were likewise attempting at some distance from the boundary to penetrate the Chinese lines to force their withdrawal. There had been issued to artillery and to liaison officers with the Anglo-French forces a largescale map, and it was fully realized that further incidents must be avoided. General Matsui would immediately be informed of the neutral attitude.
[Page 516]Harada and Okazaki, who were impressed, I believe, by the conference, will endeavor to have the situation improved. A great danger of more incidents continues so long as the Settlement is flanked by both Chinese and Japanese forces. I am trying to arrange with the Chinese military leaders a similar conference. 1650.