394.115 Panay/15: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—1:30 p.m.]
2200. Commander Yangtze Patrol has been unable to contact Panay since 1335 today. Am informed that Japanese Army forces have orders to fire upon all ships on river. In view of what happened to British naval vessels near Nanking and at Wuhu today, please ask Tokyo to make urgent representations to Foreign Office, and to notify it of whereabouts of Panay and Standard Oil Company’s ships loaded with American refugees, last reported anchored at mileage 221 above Woosung.
Peiping repeat urgent to Tokyo. Sent to Peiping and information Cincaf.51
- Commander in Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet.↩