393.1164 Lingnan University/5: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
187. 1. Under date June 8, 3 p.m.,46 the Consul General at Canton telegraphed via Hong Kong as follows:
“Three Japanese bombs dropped on western end Lingnan University campus this morning at edge of athletic field 200 yards from houses occupied by Americans. No buildings struck. I have asked Southard, Hong Kong to protest to Japanese Consul General, Hong Kong.”
2. The American Consul General at Hong Kong telegraphs that he has protested to Japanese colleague who has forwarded the protest to Tokyo.
3. While Lingnan University has been since 1927 a Chinese administered institution a substantial part of the lands and buildings remain vested in an American board of trustees in New York and part of the support of the institution continues to come from American sources. Thirty-seven American citizens are now residing at the University. The University and campus are clearly removed from the city of Canton and urban areas. The Department can perceive no warrant whatever for the attack under reference. The Department therefore desires that unless you perceive objection the Embassy make appropriate representations to the Foreign Office setting forth the above-mentioned facts and requesting that urgent measures be taken to prevent any future attack upon the property under reference.
- Not printed.↩