793.94/13201: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—2 p.m.]
822. Following from Tokyo:
June 11, noon. Department’s 189, June 9, 7 p.m.50
- 1.
- We have today presented the following note to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs:
“No. 957. The American Embassy presents its compliments to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has the honor to refer to the assurances given on various occasions by the Japanese Government that American lives and property in China would be respected. Attention is invited to the fact that there are now residing in Hankow a substantial number of American citizens, and that property is held in various parts of Hankow by American citizens. Further, there are on the Yangtze River in the vicinity of Hankow American and other foreign naval and merchant vessels. The American Embassy confidently expects that, in the event of military operations, of whatever character, being conducted against Hankow by the Japanese military forces, the assurances of the Japanese Government that American lives and property will be respected will be scrupulously observed. Tokyo, June 11, 1938.”
- 2.
- My British colleague states that he will take similar action.
- 3.
- My French colleague is informing Paris of my action and requesting instructions. He says that Naggiar50a is arriving in Hankow today and will no doubt confer with Johnson. Johnson may wish to suggest to Naggiar that he recommend action by his colleague in Tokyo.
- 4.
- I have not yet heard whether the German and Italian Embassies will take similar action. Repeat to Hankow and Department as our 375, June 11, noon.
- Grew
- Lockhart