793.94/9427: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—2:15 p.m.]
274. The British Chargé d’Affaires this afternoon presented the following pro memoria to the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“1. The situation that has arisen at Shanghai must be considered as ultimately due to the presence of the Japanese landing party there. The best practical contribution which the Japanese Government can make to a solution of it would be to withdraw their landing party. His Majesty’s Government are urging the Chinese Government to guarantee that there will be no attack on the Japanese quarter and to dispose their forces so as to remove apprehension of any attack.
2. Arrangements are being made to evacuate a large number of British nationals from Shanghai and His Majesty’s Government count upon the Japanese Government to enable this to be done.
3. The greatest and most immediate danger to the lives and property of non-combatants in the International Settlement arises from the presence of the Idzumo adjacent to the Settlement wharves and without prejudice to other aspects of the situation, the best practical demonstration that the Japanese Government could give of their expressed desire to avert danger to foreign life and property would be the removal of the Idzumo to some more distant station.
His Majesty’s Government are at the same time urging upon the Chinese Government in the most insistent manner possible that they should refrain any repetitions of bombing raids.”
Repeated to Nanking.