793.94/4370: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23—1:10 p.m.]
The following identic telegram is being sent today to their respective Governments by the British and French Ministers and the Italian Chargé and I have told them that I would do the same:
“Further heavy bombardment took place last night in the course of which numerous Chinese shells once more fell in neighborhood of wharf area of Hongkew. The shells were clearly heard passing between British Consulate and Astor House Hotel and four of them struck Italian cruiser Libia (which lies midstream astern of Japanese flagship moored opposite Japanese [Consulate?]), fortunately causing no damage to life owing to non-explosion but injuring the ship.
- 2.
- Renewed protest is being lodged today through Consuls General with Chinese Mayor.
- 3.
- The truth of the matter is that as long as the Japanese use the International Settlement to shelter their ships, fire from Chinese guns is naturally the result.
- 4.
- I, therefore, hope that you will find it possible to make representations at Tokyo with a view to inducing the Japanese Government to move their flagship and any other men-of-war from the neighborhood of the Settlement and to cease using the Settlement as a base or channel for their operations including the landing of troops and supplies.”