394.115 Panay/206: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—8:35 a.m.]
691. The Naval Attaché has just given me the following translations of a communication on the subject of the Panay incident addressed by the Navy Minister and the Chief of the General Staff [Page 553] to Admiral Hasegawa, commander in chief of the Japanese Fleet in China, and of Admiral Hasegawa’s reply thereto.
From the Navy Minister and the Chief of the General Staff to Admiral Hasegawa:
It is most gratifying from the point of view of the friendly relations between the United States and Japan that the Panay incident has been amicably settled because of the appropriate measures taken by the Imperial Government and the headquarters at the front and of the calm attitude on the part of the American authorities.
In view of the fact however that the true settlement of the said incident lies in that whether or not the Imperial Government should abide by its guarantee to respect in the future the American lives, properties and interests and also that since it is a serious matter upon our ability or inability of fulfillment of which depend the dignity of the Imperial Navy and even the prestige of the Empire, Your Excellency is expected to further urge your subordinates to take thorough precautions for the prevention of a similar incident.”
From Admiral Hasegawa to the Navy Minister and the Chief of the General Staff:
“In receiving His Highness’ and His Excellency’s kind message informing us of the amicable settlement of the Panay incident, our trepidation is deepened for giving anxiety to His Majesty and aggravating the concern of the Government and the people with the incident caused by our blunder.
As for the Imperial Government’s guarantee to respect in future American lives, properties and interests, the officers and men of the Fleet are determined to engage in operations with greater caution so as not to repeat similar blunders.”
Repeated to Shanghai for the commander in chief.