793.94112/405: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
1312. Department’s 205, November 20, 4 p.m.41 Japanese Consul General’s reply dated November 21 stated naval authorities are detaining [Page 553] Estelle L. and asked this office to advise vessel’s owner to abide by regulations proclaimed by Japanese Navy on July 15, 1940 (see Shanghai’s telegram No. 339 [639], July 15, 3 p.m.) which forbids foreign vessels to enter waters adjacent to the port of Wenchow, Chekiang province. Members of Japanese Consulate General intimate that navy will not release vessel until owner gives assurance that he will abide by these regulations. Further representations have been made to Japanese authorities concerning this vessel which has now been detained for a period of 25 days. For the Department’s information, on November 14 Shanghai customs refused, as a result of Japanese punishments [pressure?], to issue clauses [clearances?] to ships bound for the only remaining open port in Chekiang, thus completely closing the Chekiang coast to foreign vessels.
Relative to Consulate General’s request of October 16 asking the Japanese authorities to investigate log book notation that the American flag flown by the Estelle L. was lowered by Japanese naval hands (see Shanghai despatch 3521 dated October 16),42 a categorical denial has been received from the Japanese that such act ever occurred. Master, who is of Russian nationality and who entered notation in his log, is now detained by Japanese aboard the Estelle [L.].
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping. Air mail to Tokyo.