Office of the Historian

793.94/9425: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, August 16, 1937—7 p.m.
[Received August 16—11:50 a.m.]

273. Following is Naval Attaché’s report of statements made to him today at the Navy Department.

  • “1. Japanese Government is considering a plan to stop shipment of armament (munitions of war) to China without becoming involved in complications with other governments. The purpose of such a move was stated to be ‘to avoid prolonging the existing situation’. He inquired whether American ships were carrying such to China now. He did not appear conversant with the recent ruling of the Japanese Government whereby manifests of cargo of Dollar Line ships arriving at Yokohama from the United States were to be presented to local authorities irrespective of whether the cargo was destined for China or the Philippines.
  • 2. The Navy Department was criticized on Friday19 and Saturday for not taking positive action at Shanghai to save their landing force and to protect their nationals. It held off as long as possible in order not to aggravate the situation hoping that a peaceful settlement could be made. Finally when the Chinese air attacks were made Saturday morning the Navy made its decision for a direct offensive. Unfortunately the typhoon then existing off the Yangtze prevented all but two of ship based planes at or near Shanghai from going into action. These two planes one from the Idzumo and one from the Sendai gave a good account of themselves. They shot down one Chinese plane and were responsible for the destruction of another. Cruiser planes bombed the Chinese airdromes near Shanghai the following day. Realizing that further action was necessary immediately the Navy Department consented to the flight of three squadrons Sunday across China Sea in the face of the typhoon then centering near Nanking. These planes had been placed under the command of Admiral Hasegawa. A technical report will be submitted to the Navy Department of [on?] the air operations. Eight of these planes were lost, six shot down by antiaircraft fire from the airdromes they were attacking. This morning as 20 Chinese planes were in the air over Japanese forces at or near Shanghai the Navy would not yet consider the transportation of troops to Shanghai as safe. The inference is that further bombing raids will be launched to wipe out Chinese air forces at their source. In fact the senior aide practically committed himself to that statement. The landing force supported by guns from the ships present could take [Page 426] care of themselves. (Estimated 5 or 6 cruisers, 12 gunboats, 15 to 20 destroyers, are at Shanghai or Woosung.) When asked whether troops had been or would be sent he said ‘please wait a few days’.
  • 3. The French and Soviets believe the Chinese propaganda that bombing of Shanghai was done by Japanese planes. He stated that they would find out their mistake shortly.
  • 4. From July 7th the Navy had been very much concerned about spread of trouble to Central and South China. I believe it was the Navy that advocated withdrawal of nationals from the Yangtze Valley, Swatow, Canton, et cetera, as they were powerless to protect them.
  • 5. No Japanese carriers are in Chinese territorial waters.
  • 6. Situation at Tsingtao is quiet and the Navy confidently hopes that it will remain so. All Japanese nationals have been withdrawn from Canton though the situation there is not ‘too bad’”.

Naval Attaché has not repeated to Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet.

Grew
  1. August 13.↩