893.512/1434: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—11:40 a.m.]
69. Embassy’s 62, October 15, 2 p.m. Consul Fletcher at Canton telegraphed October 16, 8 p.m. as follows:
“Special delegate for Foreign Affairs confidentially states that rice controversy settled and Japanese warships to withdraw from Swatow today.”
Commanding Officer U. S. S. Asheville [at] Swatow reported October 16 that Admiral Shimamura had informed him on that day that he considered that the tax controversy had been settled to his entire satisfaction and that all Japanese ships would leave for Shanghai on October 17. Commanding officer stated that conditions no longer required the presence of the Asheville at Swatow and that the American Consul concurred and considered the incident closed.
Repeated to Shanghai for the Ambassador and to Nanking.