793.94/15881: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

232. The Japanese this morning for the first time in several months bombed portions of Chungking city proper, two squadrons of planes dropping bombs in various business and residential areas. It is estimated that civilian casualties will number several hundred. As far as the Embassy can ascertain, all Americans are safe. One bomb fell at an estimated distance of 400 yards from the U. S. S. Tutuila while bombs fell in the vicinity of the installation of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company.

Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai, Hankow. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Johnson