793.94/9551: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21—6 a.m.]
479. 1. Following statement of “spokesman” of Foreign Office issued to the press last evening: [Page 452]
“The Chinese forces in Shanghai as well as elsewhere are fighting against an aggressor who, in his violent actions on Chinese soil, has violated all peace preserving treaties such as the Nine Power Treaty and the Paris Peace Pact, of which all the powers chiefly interested in the present situation are signators. In such a struggle, according to the simple dictates of justice, the party defending itself must at least have equal opportunity for legitimate operations as the aggressive party.
Before the outbreak of hostilities in Shanghai, the Chinese Government had already made it clear to the powers that, if the Japanese forces should use any part of the International Settlement as a base of operations or a place of retreat, the Chinese defensive forces would be compelled to take all necessary measures against the Japanese combating in the Settlement, and that the Chinese Government could not be held responsible for the consequences.
The Japanese forces are now using the Hongkew and Yangtzepoo districts of the Shanghai International Settlement as their base of attack, while a large number of Japanese warships operating in the Woosung harbor and along the Whangpoo River are continually bombarding the Chinese positions. The Chinese air forces, in taking action against such warships, have exercised, at considerable risk to themselves, the utmost care to avoid unnecessary harm or danger to the ships or property of third powers. No attacks have been and will be deliberately made by any Chinese airplanes on any other foreign warships or property. However, the Chinese Government cannot assume any responsibility for such unavoidable damage as may happen to the other foreign warships on account of their proximity to Japanese warships during the operations of Chinese aircraft. It would seem, therefore, best for the powers concerned to make the Japanese warships move out of the Whangpoo River, failing which to move their own warships and other vessels from the danger zone.
It is believed that the fairness and justice of the position taken by the Chinese Government will be readily appreciated, especially in view of the fact that we are not only fighting for the security of Chinese territory but also for the maintenance of international justice.”
2. Sent to the Department, Shanghai.