Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/3867

The Chief of Naval Operations (Pratt) to the Commander in Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet (Taylor)⁹¹

[Washington, January 30, 1932—6 p.m.]

Commanders of United States Forces should observe utmost forbearance and make effort by conciliation to remove any friction that may develop between American and other defense units.

State Department is instruction [instructing] Consul General [at] Shanghai in similar manner. United States Government desires that every reasonable means possible be taken to avoid clash between American and Japanese forces. Questions regarding disposition of foreign forces under defense plan at Shanghai should be referred to senior officer of Defense Forces.

91. Copy of paraphrase of telegram transmitted to the Department by the Navy Department.