Office of the Historian

793.94/11547: Telegram

The Commander in Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet (Yarnell) to the Chief of Naval Operations (Leahy)34

[Shanghai,] December 9, 1937—7:55 p.m.
[Received December 9—11:40 a.m.]

0009. Japanese have occupied Chinkiang, surrounded Nanking, advanced within 2 miles Wuhu. State will capture Nanking within 24 hours. In order avoid responsibility future damage foreign ships in Yangtze, Japanese issued warning keep clear vicinity Chinese military establishments, if possible leave zone hostilities. Idzumo fired several rounds at 1747. No Chinese planes sighted. Conditions Settlement unchanged.

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