793.94/9814: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 31—9 a.m.]
333. Department’s 180, August 30, 2 p.m., Hankow-Canton railway.
- 1.
- I have today addressed the following note to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
“Tokyo, August 31, 1937. Number 785. Excellency: Under instruction from my Government I have the honor to invite the attention [Page 492] of Your Excellency to the fact that the railway which connects Hankow with Canton and Hong Kong is now being used by foreign nationals who are being evacuated from China. My Government accordingly expresses the hope that every care will be used by Japanese military planes not to machine-gun or bomb trains or otherwise interrupt the use of that line for the evacuation of foreigners.
In thus approaching Your Excellency I wish at the same time to associate myself with similar representations on this matter which I am informed certain of my colleagues are submitting to Your Excellency.
I avail myself, et cetera, Joseph C. Grew”.
- 2.
- My British and French colleagues are also addressing to the Minister for Foreign Affairs notes of a similar character.
- 3.
- My German and Italian colleagues envisage only an oral approach to the Foreign Office and will not address written notes.