393.115 President Hoover/15: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 31—1:14 p.m.]
578. Department’s 194, August 30, 4 p.m. Following reply dated August 31 to my note of August 30 has been received from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs:
“Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 30 informing me that the S. S. President Hoover was bombed yesterday afternoon by Chinese airplanes while approaching Yangtze Light at the mouth of the Yangtze River and that the ship was damaged, while a number of people on board were injured, some seriously.
As a result of an immediate investigation of the incident, it was found that a Chinese airplane mistook the President Hoover for a Japanese military transport and dropped two bombs which unfortunately hit the vessel. I think I need not assure you that nothing is further from the minds of the Chinese aviators than to direct any deliberate attack on any American ships.
The Chinese Government, which feels most regretful for this deplorable incident, accepts full responsibility therefor and is ready to take immediate steps for making amends.”
In view of above and my telegram No. 565, August 30, 11 p.m. and my No. 568, August 31, 10 a.m.34 which show that Chinese admit responsibility and are prepared to make immediate amends, does the Department still wish me to deliver note quoted in its telegram under acknowledgment?
- Neither printed.↩