Office of the Historian

793.94/10244: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, September 25, 1937—4 p.m.
[Received September 25—7 a.m.]

712. Under instructions from the Military Attaché, Captain Roberts53 asked the General Staff to obtain permission from the Field Commander at the Shanghai Front for Captain Sutherland54 to visit Shanghai hostilities as a military observer. Field Commander refused. On September 13 I wrote informally to General Chiang strongly urging reconsideration. I received no reply even though I indirectly brought influence to bear. On September 23 I brought the matter again to the attention of General Chiang through Donald55 but latter informed me by letter that Chiang replied Chinese officers at the front could not assume risk of possible injuries to a foreign officer and refusal was definite. Unless Department instructs otherwise I shall not renew attempt.

Johnson
  1. Capt. Frank N. Roberts, U. S. A., language officer in China.↩
  2. Capt. Edwin M. Sutherland, U. S. A., language officer in China.↩
  3. W. H. Donald, Australian adviser to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.↩