793.94/11545: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, December 9, 1937—5
p.m.
[Received December 9—7:15 a.m.]
[Received December 9—7:15 a.m.]
609. Johnson’s 19, December 7, 11 a.m., from Hankow. Japanese bombing at Wuhu.
- 1.
- Yesterday the British Ambassador31 called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and “speaking informally in advance of instructions from London” expressed confidence that the British Government would take a serious view of the reported attack on two British merchant ships if the facts are as reported. Craigie referred also to the complete disregard of Japanese assurances with regard to safeguarding the lives and property of noncombatants. Today a telegram was received from London approving his representations and he will send a note to the Foreign Office stating his protest has been approved by the British Government and that he reserves the right to claim compensation.
- 2.
- As British interests are specifically and directly involved it was not my intention to make representations until my British colleague had acted. As, according to Johnson, “the manner in which the raid was conducted made it a menace to the safety of American citizens and property”, we will tomorrow remind the Foreign Office of the assurances repeatedly given with regard to safeguarding lives and property of noncombatants, request that an investigation be made of the bombing of the Wuhu water front and urge that those responsible be severely dealt with.
Repeated to Peiping for relay to Johnson.
Grew
- Sir Robert Leslie Craigie.↩