Office of the Historian

793.94/15161: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, July 4, 1939—1 p.m.
[Received July 4—4 a.m.]

560. My 519, June 21, 4 p.m. The Japanese Consul General has communicated to the Senior Consul for information of consular representatives and additional notification dated July 1st from the Japanese naval authorities outlining the procedure governing the entry of third power vessels into Swatow.

1.
“The third power vessels is [are?] admitted to the harbor of Swatow, so far as circumstances of military operations permit, at the rate of approximately once in a week. Third powers, whose residents in Swatow are small in number, are requested to take advantage of the vessels above referred to, refraining from despatching their respective vessels.”
2.
“Only mails and provisions are allowed to be discharged at Swatow.”
3.
“Vessels thus calling should apply at least 24 hours in advance for the consent of the senior staff officer of the local fleet.”
4.
“Hours of stay in the harbor should be minimum required and their movements in the harbor should be strictly in compliance with the indications given by the naval authorities on the spot.”

I understand there are no American merchant vessels accustomed to call at Swatow and accordingly am taking no action here.

United States naval authorities here being informed.

[Page 790]

Repeated to Peiping, Chungking, Hong Kong and Swatow. Airmail to Tokyo.

Gauss