811.30 Asiatic Fleet/861: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
271. Reference Chungking’s July 6, 7 p.m. to Shanghai97 (which was assumably communicated to you) in regard to a request by the Japanese naval authorities that the U. S. S. Tutuila at Chungking be moved from the vessel’s present position.
The Department has received information from the Navy Department to the effect that, on the basis of Ambassador Johnson’s opinion as expressed in the telegram under reference, and in the light of the various circumstances, Admiral Hart intends to keep the Tutuila at its present position which is within a hundred yards of the Embassy office. If you have not already done so, it is suggested that you bring this matter to the attention of the Japanese Foreign Minister, pointing out that, as stated by Ambassador Johnson, the Tutuila is not close to military objectives of any kind, and that it is not practicable to move the vessel. Express the confident expectation of this Government that the Japanese Government will issue to the appropriate military and naval authorities, including air force officers, sufficiently strict and effective instructions to ensure that the Embassy office and the Tutuila will not in future be endangered or threatened in any way by Japanese aerial operations.98
Sent to Tokyo via Shanghai. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.