Office of the Historian

793.94/11047: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, U. S. Asiatic Fleet (Yarnell) to the Chief of Naval Operations (Leahy)10

[Shanghai,] November 9, 1937—7:10 p.m.
[Received 7:20 p.m.]

0009. Letter from Admiral Hasegawa received today same subject my cipher 4th [5th] this month. In substance following:

I have honor forward you reply of Commander Imperial Japanese Army forces regarding question use of Soochow Creek which you and Admiral Little brought up on board His Majesty’s Ship Idzumo 4 November; Army believes section this creek passing through and bounded both sides by International Settlement is no part thereof. In view of this, we consider have right navigate this waterway whenever in our opinion considered necessary.

In cases where Nippon Army uses subject stream Navy may cooperate. Recommend that since Chinese were denied use above river in Sector Baker for military purposes State Department protest against its use in same area by Japs as violation neutrality we have been observing toward each of contending forces.

  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Navy Department.↩