124.932/579: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 14—1:05 p.m.]
257. Reference Department’s 61, February 9, 7 p.m., to Hankow, Consul General Okazaki called on me this afternoon and said that General Harada is prepared to express regret for the violation of the Embassy property and to give assurances that there will be no repetition but he is unable to express regret for the desecration of the American flag until it has been proven that Japanese soldiers committed such desecration. He is prepared to express regret provisionally, that is, he would say that he would deeply regret the desecration [Page 266] of the American flag if upon investigation it is found to have occurred. Okazaki said that Allison had communicated to Fukui several instances of alleged desecration of the flag but he has not even given the names of witnesses, simply stating than an American has reported or a Chinese has reported the case. He said that investigations will delay matters for about a month as troops formerly in Nanking are now scattered.
2. I told Okazaki that I was instructed to receive an expression of regret from General Harada which should include regret for the desecration of the flag and under the circumstances I would be under the necessity of referring [again?] for instructions.
Repeated to Hankow and Nanking.