Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume I

793.94112/84a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham)

Washington, September 22, 1937—5 p.m.

400. Reference Commander-in-Chief’s 0021–2342 September 21, to the Navy Department. For your and the Commander-in-Chief’s confidential information.

1. The general policy of this Government is in conformity with the principle and procedure set forth in the Department’s telegram No. 325, September 5, 3 p.m.^44a The principle is that we need give no affirmative assent to measures which may be taken by the Japanese naval authorities in their enforcement of their blockade.

2. The procedure which the Department would suggest is: (a) that the Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet ask from the various shipping offices in the Far East information regarding the time and place of expected movements of American vessels into and out of the blockaded zone with a view to informing the appropriate Japanese and Chinese authorities thereof as a matter of courtesy when, in the judgment of the Commander-in-Chief such notification is desirable; (b) in view of the principle set forth in paragraph one above, the Department considers it undesirable that general directions be issued to American shipping to furnish advance notice to the Commander-in-Chief of their expected movements into and out of the blockaded zone; (c) that if and as masters of American merchant vessels inquire of the Commander-in-Chief regarding procedure to be followed in relation to the situation arising when American vessels are stopped by Japanese naval vessels, the Commander-in-Chief inform the masters that they should acquiesce to the extent of showing to the Japanese naval authorities evidence of nationality but permit further investigation only under express protest and that they should report all cases of stopping with a full recital of circumstances to the Commander-in-Chief or to the nearest American consular authorities or both, and that the Commander-in-Chief or the consular authorities to whom such reports have been made should refer the matter to their respective Departments for appropriate action; (d) with reference to the Commander-in-Chief’s inquiry regarding cargoes, in view of the fact that the Japanese Government has announced that the blockade is directed against Chinese shipping only and in view of the terms of the President’s statement of September 14 regarding the carrying of arms, ammunition and implements of war by American vessels,^44b the Department does not desire to issue any further statement of policy regarding cargoes, and any individual case should be reported to the Department for action.

3. In the light of the principle set forth in paragraph one the Department considers it preferable that no public statement of our position be made.

4. The Navy Department has been consulted and will direct the Commander-in-Chief to be guided by the foregoing.

5. Please inform the Commander-in-Chief.

Hull

1. Not printed.
2. See press release issued by the Department of State on September 14, 1937, vol. ii, p. 201.