Office of the Historian

793.94112/381: Telegram

The Consul at Shanghai (Butrick) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, July 15, 1940—3 p.m.
[Received July 15—10:58 a.m.]

639. The Japanese Consul General sent me today a copy of the proclamation quoted below by Vice Admiral Shimada:

“Proclamation is hereby declared that, by reasons of military necessity, as from midnight between the fifteenth and sixteenth July, 1940, [Page 529] entrance by all vessels, including those of third powers, to the areas given below will be prohibited, and that any vessel entering or attempting to enter the said areas in defiance of this prohibition will be detained by naval forces under my command. Consequently, I cannot assume any responsibility for losses, either direct or indirect, that might be suffered by vessels or crews thereof entering or coming out of the said areas after the said time.

The area extending over Hangchow Bay and Hsiangshan-Pu or Nimrod Sound, enclosed by the straight line connecting Hsushan or Middle Sieshan and West Volcano Lighthouse, the longitudinal line crossing Shankiamen of [or?] Chusan Island, and the latitudinal line crossing Shankiamen or Chusan Island, and the latitudinal line crossing the southern extremity of Luhwang-two [Luhwang-shan?].

2.
The area extending over Wenchow harbor with its environs and Loching Wan, enclosed by the straight line connecting Napai Shan and eastern extremity of Tungtou Shan and the latitudinal line crossing Panmien Shan.
3.
The area extending over Santuao and Layuan Wan west of 340 degrees line from rugged point.
4.
Foochow Bay and its environs enclosed by the longitudinal line crossing Tinghai and the 45-degree line from Black Head.

This proclamation in no way prejudices my proclamation dated the 7th May 1940, on the prohibition of navigation by Chinese shipping. Vice Admiral Shigetaro Shimada, commander in chief of the Imperial Japanese-China Seas fleet, 15th July 1940.”

The senior American naval officer present and American organizations known to this Consulate General to be concerned have been informed.

Repeated to Chungking, Peiping and Foochow. By air mail to Tokyo, Tsingtao for Commander in Chief. Rear Admiral Glassford informed.

Butrick