793.94/13856: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:55 p.m.]
446. Department’s 245, September 9, 5 p.m., paragraph 2. I do not see how we can adopt same attitude toward Chinese as towards Japanese since Chinese are attempting to defend their own nationals and their property against attack by Japanese without assuming responsibility for such protection. It devolves upon the Japanese to do everything possible to protect non-combatant Chinese and foreigners within zone of their activities. Therefore I do not see how we can ask Chinese authorities to avoid military activities adjacent to specified area at Hankow especially as Japanese advance may have the effect of driving fighting Chinese back into that adjacent area. As we are in all cases uncertain as to Japanese definition of military activities it would in any case be difficult for us to ask Chinese to avoid activities “that would give Japanese an excuse for attacking that area on the grounds” outlined in Japanese note. It seems clear to me that if we were to attempt to carry out the Japanese conditions and were to fail as would be probable the danger to our nationals would be increased because the Japanese in that event would feel themselves absolved from responsibility for the safety of American citizens. I am repeating the Department’s telegram to Hankow and am requesting comments on the question of feasible measures of safeguarding lives and property of Americans through Josselyn of Military Attaché and Commander of Yangtze Patrol95 (whose immediate problem this will be), but in my opinion Americans at Hankow will run no greater risks than they have run at Kiukiang, Hsuchow, and Kaifeng during present hostilities, provided they remain as much [Page 287] aloof from actual fighting areas as may be possible. The Consul General at Hankow and the Commander of the Yangtze Patrol have taken all of these contingencies into consideration and will I am sure have made every arrangement humanely possible to enable Americans to avail themselves of shelter away from the scene of active hostilities.
Sent to Hankow, Shanghai and Shanghai repeat to Tokyo.
- Rear Adm. David McDougal LeBreton, U. S. N.↩