793.94/9696: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 26—7:45 a.m.]
565. Press reports state that Vice Admiral Hasegawa, Commander in Chief Japanese Third Fleet, late yesterday afternoon proclaimed that navigation along the lower Yangtze and along Central China coast from Shanghai to a point south of Swatow is closed to Chinese shipping. The prescribed area extends from 32.4 degrees north latitude and 121.84 degrees east longitude to 23.14 degrees north latitude and 116.48 degrees east longitude. The prohibition will be enforced by the Japanese Navy. It does not affect foreign or Japanese shipping.
I have verified from Japanese Consul General that this press report is correct.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Nanking.