393.1163P92/130
The American Embassy in Japan to the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The American Embassy presents its compliments to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has the honor to state that, according to information received through the American Consulate General at Hankow, on May 10 and 11 Japanese planes bombed property of the American Southern Presbyterian Mission at Hsuchowfu, Kiangsu Province, China. In the east suburb two bombs fell in the yard of the American church, another hit the church, and seven fell very close to the yard wall, causing extensive damage. The roof of the church building was covered by two American flags and two flags showing a blue cross on a white background, all very large. The report further states that the north suburb chapel was also damaged by bombing.
The American Embassy, acting under instructions from its Government, has the honor to request that the Japanese Government cause an investigation to be made of the circumstances referred to in the foregoing report and that the American Embassy be informed of the results thereof at the earliest possible moment.