811.30 Asiatic Fleet/476: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—10 a.m.]
391. Department’s 214, July 24, 1 p.m. Kiukiang was occupied by Japanese forces on July 26. Commanding officer of U. S. S. Monocacy on July 30 called on senior Japanese naval officer in presence of Japanese Consul and informed him that on August 1 he desired to make contact with American nationals in the city of Kiukiang and stated that he intended to move Monocacy back to the installation of the Standard Oil Company. He was told that he could do none of these things for the present as war zone extended from Hukow to Kiukiang and that area off installation was dangerous due to the presence of mines. Commander of Monocacy stated that he desired to move to installation as being farther from war zone than his present position. The senior naval officer maintained that heavy guerrilla fighting continues about city and asked that Monocacy not move until word had been received from higher Japanese naval authorities.
It is not mandatory that Monocacy move. Monocacy, however, should be free to make contact with Americans and with American property.
On July 31 commanding officer of Monocacy received a letter from the senior Japanese naval officer stating that the military authorities in Kiukiang do not agree to his proposal for sending an officer into the city to make contact with American nationals nor does the higher naval authority at Nanking agree to the moving of the Monocacy and the equipment of the Standard Oil Company to the installation of the Standard Oil Company.
We have had no certain information regarding the welfare of American citizens in the city of Kiukiang since the Japanese occupied the city. Does the Department desire that Commander of Monocacy continue to discuss matter with senior Japanese naval officer or would it prefer take matter up in Tokyo on the ground that refusal to permit American Navy access to American nationals and to American property is an unjustified interference with our rights on the Yangtze and in China.
Repeated to Shanghai, please repeat to Tokyo.