793.94/11606: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—11:05 a.m.]
33. Please consult Commander-in-Chief and give him this message:
“Area covered by former British, Russian and German Concessions and present French Concession at Hankow and including Butterfield and Swire’s property adjoining custom house including bulk of foreign owned and occupied property here. In this area Consulates and Embassy staffs are now located. In river off this area are concentrated foreign naval vessels of British, American, French and Italian nationality and foreign flag river shipping. Recent events at Wuhu and Nanking have caused considerable apprehension as no [to?] safety of this area where are concentrated not only most of permanent residents but many foreign refugees from other parts of China. It would be difficult to shift population or shipping elsewhere. It would relieve present apprehension if assurance could be obtained from Japanese that area in question including river front immediately adjoining would be free of attacks. Could you consult with interested British, French and Italian colleagues with a view to exploring possibility of obtaining some assurance from Japanese military and naval commands at Shanghai controlling operations in this area.”
Sent to Shanghai, repeated to Department and Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.