793.94/2009: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—6:45 a.m.]
728. Following from American Consul General at Nanking:
“October 7, 5 p.m. A responsible official of the Chinese Government October 7, 2 p.m., told me that the Government takes seriously a report which has reached it that the Japanese have in contemplation landing forces in and bombarding Nanking. He said that he told me this so I could make plans to protect myself from the trouble which would inevitably follow either action. He asks that I informally convey this warning to other consulates.”
Repeated to Tokyo. Has the Department any information as to the intentions of the Japanese Government in this respect?