and that the area be not used as the scene of Japanese fighting. The French Ambassador here is instructed to join "eventually" in action taken by his colleagues to urge the Japanese Government to accept the proposal. 2. We have as yet no information of this action of the five Ambassadors at Nanking. Repeated to Shanghai for relay to Nanking. GREW 393.1163 Nantungchow/6 Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) [WASHINGTON,] August 25, 1937. Mr. Suma, Counselor of the Japanese Embassy, called and said that he understood that the American Consul General at Shanghai had made certain reports in regard to damage to American mission property near Shanghai at a place called Nantungchow. Mr. Suma said that if it should develop that the damage to this American property was caused by Japanese airplanes, the Japanese Government would wish to do what it could toward adjusting the matter. Mr. Hamilton inquired whether Mr. Suma meant that in the event that investigation showed that Japanese airplanes were responsible for the damage, the Japanese Government would be prepared to offer compensation to the American owners of the property. Mr. Suma indicated assent and said also that if the Japanese Government could facilitate investigating the facts it would be glad to do so. M[AXWELL] M. H[AMILTON] 393.1115/298a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson) 76 WASHINGTON, August 25, 1937-7 p. m. 178. Department's 166, August 20, 2 p. m. In making estimate of possibilities and probabilities, Department finds conflicting indications in regard to the question whether military operations in China will spread further afield or will tend to be concentrated and restricted to certain areas. Department feels that the Embassy and Consulates might advantageously consider whether or not it is desirable that they give renewed and emphatic advice to Americans to withdraw from various areas as soon as possible. Department realizes that 70 This message was repeated to all American Consulates in China by the Ambassador on August 28 in a circular telegram for action and report. some Americans will be very reluctant to follow any advice to withdraw but desires that Embassy and Consulates endeavor continuously to urge upon American nationals wherever there is or appears likely to be substantial hazard the desirability of withdrawing before peril becomes imminent. HULL 793.94/9716: Telegram The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State NANKING, August 26, 1937-10 a. m. [Received 5:13 p. m.] 526. I have received following telegram from Tientsin: "August 24, 4 p. m. Joint defense plan referred to in Legation's despatch to the Department number 848, March 6, 1931," is so clearly inapplicable under present conditions that no effort has been made to put it into effect, but Italian Consul, whose Concession is isolated from other Concessions, is urging adoption of modified joint defense plan by the British, French, Italian and American forces. Military commanders have stated that Italian Concession could not be included owing to lack of communication. Italians now urge that Japanese be asked to agree to control by an international force, excluding the Japanese, of a small area between the International Bridge and the Italian Concession but excluding the East Station. This is part of Third Special Area and is under Japanese control, but at the moment contains only police, Japanese troops being stationed in immediately adjoining parts of the Third Special Area, all of which was put under martial law temporarily by the Japanese night before last. I have agreed only to refer the proposal to the Embassy for instructions. I do not believe that the Japanese would agree to such a proposal and doubt the wisdom and necessity of making such a request. This brings up the question of cooperation of American forces with the British, French, and Italian forces in joint defense measures in case there should be further serious disorder here. During the present trouble the British, French, and Italian troops have each patrolled their own Concessions only; the American troops have encircled their own barracks and adjacent American homes in the First Special Area, and when no police were on duty sent mounted patrols through that area and posted detachments at American homes and business establishments in the First and Third Special Areas. The American barracks, although in the First Special Area, adjoin [ing] the British area, are covering a section of the British boundary and making inevitable certain cooperation with the British, which, aside from that fact, would be necessary owing to the presence of this Consulate General and of many American residents in the British area. I should appreciate receiving any instructions which the Embassy or the Department may see fit to give in regard to not only the question raised by the Italians but also the matter of a new joint defense plan and cooperation of the American forces with the British, French, and "Not printed. Italian forces. The key question is whether in case of serious disorder the Concessions, or at least the British and French, and the American barracks and immediate vicinity could be considered as a unit for defense purposes, insofar as troops assigned at the discretion of their commanding officer to sectors other than the immediate vicinity of their barracks and American property outside the Concessions." And have sent following reply: "August 26, 10 a. m. Your August 24, 4 p. m. Problem presented is so complicated by local requirements that I feel I must be guided by you in cooperation with Commanding Officer of 15th Infantry. In reaching a decision you should be guided by Department's 138, August 10, noon, repeated to you August 18, 8 a. m. The primary function of American armed forces at Tientsin is to provide special protection for American nationals. I understand that most American nationals live either in First Special Area or in British Concession. In case of emergency it would seem to me that some arrangement should be reached between you and the British whereby American nationals could be concentrated for safety in the British Concession, our forces cooperating with the British at least to the point of relieving British of the necessity of protecting American nationals until they could be evacuated if necessary to a place of safety. I must leave to you and to the Commanding Officer of the 15th Infantry the conduct of the operations for which you are respectively responsible, using each your own best judgment, keeping in mind the principles laid down in Department's telegram No. 138 of August 10, noon. Repeated to Peiping." JOHNSON 393.1115/315: Telegram The Commander in Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet (Yarnell) to the Chief of Naval Operations (Leahy) 79 78 [SHANGHAI,] August 26, 1937-3: 42 p. m. [Received August 27-1:30 a. m.] 0026. During present emergency and without reference to Cincaf commanding officers vessels operating between ports Chinese waters are authorized to carry as passengers to the limit of suitable accommodations American nationals to further purpose of evacuation or for other urgent reasons. Number in each case to be decided by commanding officer. Priority to be decided by addressees in consultation with consular officials. Dependents of naval personnel under orders take preference. Personal baggage but not 78 Copy transmitted to the Department by the Navy Department. 19 Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet. household effects may be taken. Explanation should be made of nature of accommodations and that no liability can be assumed for any loss or damage to baggage. 793.94/9673: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson) WASHINGTON, August 26, 1937-6 p. m. 177. The substance of your 498, August 23, 5 p. m., and 517 [518], August 25, 10 a. m., has been repeated to Tokyo for communication by the Ambassador to his interested colleagues. With regard to the question of possible action at Tokyo see Tokyo's 313, August 25, 3 p. m. The Ambassador there has been informed that the Department is inclined to concur with your view that it seems unnecessary to take up this matter at Tokyo, but he has been authorized in his discretion to participate in such action as may be considered desirable. HULL 393.1115/311: Telegram The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State SHANGHAI, August 26, 1937-6 p. m. [Received 7:52 p. m.] 569. Reference Department's 268, August 24, 6 p. m. Commanderin-Chief states no further diversion of ships will take place without approval of Washington except in case of emergency; that there has been no intention of diverting a vessel to Tsingtao or other northern ports; that United States naval vessels will of course be utilized to their capacity to evacuate nationals in case of emergency; that Tsingtao and Chefoo are regarded as entirely safe for the present and there is no urgency about evacuating nationals from those ports; that there is absolutely no danger to merchant vessels from either Japanese or Chinese forces in visits to ports of North China; that the danger to merchant vessels in visits to the Yangtze River below Woosung or to the lower Whangpoo River is very small; that opposing forces have announced their intention to observe every precaution to prevent damage to neutral shipping and to his belief have done so; that there are no submarines or mine fields to endanger shipping; that there is some slight danger of vessels being struck by small arm bullets at present but this danger is decreasing and will probably disappear 205655-54-19 shortly; that he will naturally exercise every care to avoid bringing merchant vessels into any areas which in his opinion are dangerous; and that the war risk insurance mentioned in the telegram appears exorbitant and entirely unjustified on this basis. I concur. Repeated to Nanking. GAUSS 493.11/2055a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson) WASHINGTON, August 26, 1937-7 p. m. 184. In view of the present Sino-Japanese disturbances in China it would seem to be desirable that notification be sent to American nationals and concerns in China in relation to steps to be taken by them to obtain and put on record evidence of losses and damages suffered during the disturbances. It is suggested that such notification should be substantially as follows: While the American Government cannot in advance and without examination of their respective merits undertake to espouse or to present claims against the Chinese and Japanese Governments which may be presented to the American Government by its nationals for losses, damages or injuries to life or property resulting from present military operations in China, nevertheless, with a view to making clear the essential requirements of the procedure for and the steps which claimants would be well advised to take with a view to possible eventual presentation of such claims, suggestions are offered as follows: 79a Evacuated Americans should file with the Consulate inventories of property and best possible evidence as to exact location, quantity, and value of destroyed, looted, abandoned, or occupied property for which they may desire indemnity. In the case of those nationals and concerns who expect to remain on the ground unless forced to abandon their properties, it is of essential importance that they take immediate steps to make a careful inventory of their properties and that this inventory be supported by competent corroborative evidence, if procurable, and sworn to before the American Consulate. Where possible, corroborative evidence of eyewitnesses as to the destruction, looting, or forced abandonment, or occupation of property should be obtained and especially should effort be made to identify the persons or forces occupying or responsible for the losses or damages. Bills of sale, receipts, or other documents tending to establish the quantity 79 In a written exchange of views (September and December 1937), the British Embassy and the Department of State presented their ideas on the subject of possible claims against Japan (493.11/2062, 2076). |