393.1115/3592: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6—1:25 p.m.]
157. Penultimate paragraph of Shanghai’s 1186, September 3, 1 p.m. The Japanese authorities apparently wish to convey the impression that the danger to Americans in the areas in question arises from guerrillas, but it is probable that the real reason for their refusal to issue passes to such areas is their desire to be free to follow their usual practice of air bombing towns or cities believed to harbor guerrillas. Several cases of such bombings have recently been reported in the vicinity of Nanking, particularly in the areas north of the Yangtze where one severe bombing occurred in a town 12 miles north of Pukow. These bombings often result in heavy civilian casualties but only little [Page 466] loss amongst guerrillas who usually have departed before the planes arrive. It is understood that the reported large increase in the population of Nanking last month was due in part to the influx of Chinese from neighboring areas where further bombings were feared.
Sent to Shanghai and Peiping.