793.94112/402: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—10:55 a.m.]
105. Takashiro, Japanese Consul General, has communicated to senior consul following notification issued by Commander in Chief, South China Squadron of Japanese Navy under date of November 19th.
“In view of the fact that the port of Shuitung in Kwangtung Province and its surrounding waters have become an important supply route of the Chiang Kai Shek régime, the Japanese Navy decided to carry out successive military operations against this area. Consequently vessels of third powers are advised not to enter or leave hereafter the said port and its surrounding waters in order to avoid suffering any unforeseen disaster. Should however any third power vessel, disregarding the above advice, suffer any damages as a result of entering, leaving or navigating the said area of Japanese military operations, the responsibility will not rest with the Japanese Navy but the vessel concerned.[”]
As the American position regarding notifications of this kind had been made clear to the Japanese authorities on various occasions I do not propose to reply to the communication unless instructed to do so.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong. Hong Kong please inform ComSoPat.39
- Commander, South China Patrol, U. S. Asiatic Fleet.↩