394.115 Panay/170: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

371. Your 668, December 22, 11 a.m., and Department’s 368, December 22, 4 p.m.,22e and previous.

The Department has now received the report of the findings of the Naval Court of Inquiry. The Navy Department is radioing the Commander-in-Chief at Shanghai to repeat to you by radio, if he has not already done so, the report of findings. I desire that you immediately communicate a copy of the report of findings to the Minister for Foreign Affairs under cover of a formal note reading as follows:

“In further reference to the Panay incident, the Government of the United States encloses a copy of the report of findings of the United States Naval Court of Inquiry”.

For your information, it is expected that the text of the report of findings will be made public here shortly.

By separate telegram the Department is sending you for your information but not for communication to the Japanese Government the opinion of the Court of Inquiry.

Hull
  1. Neither printed.