893.102S/1240: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—3:15 a.m.]
1097. Department’s 306, September 8, 6 p.m., and 313, September 14, noon. Following from Shanghai:
“September 14, 3 p.m. Legation’s September 10, 11 a.m. Colonel Hooker called September 13th in compliance with Navy Department’s instructions and he has informed Chairman [of] Defense Committee under date of September 14th as follows:
‘Acting under instructions received from higher authority I wish to inform the Defense Committee that in future cases of emergencies in Shanghai the participation of United States forces will rest with the decision of competent United States authority.
The defense plan will tentatively apply as formerly except that each separate incident involving participation of United States forces will be decided as soon as possible in advance of the date of the declaration of the emergency.’”