793.94/13879: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
Washington, September 15, 1938—9
p.m.
250. Your 449, September 14, 10 a.m., and related telegrams in regard to the protection of American interests at Hankow.
[Page 291]- 1.
- The Department is of the opinion that the isolated properties in question, located as they are because of their use for the storage of petroleum products, should be regarded differently from the foreign residential and business area concerning which we approached the Japanese without reference to any undertaking on the part of the Chinese. That area from its beginning has been identified with foreign interests and administration and has been a special place set aside for foreign residence and business. Our concern in regard to it derives principally from our desire for the protection of American lives.
- 2.
- The Department has noted your observation that the Chinese willingness to refrain from erection of defense works on the properties mentioned suggests a possible basis, provided we should be able to prevent use by Japanese, for a request to the Japanese to refrain from using those properties. But, if an American Government agency obtained and passed on such assurances, and if thereafter, in the stress of fighting, advantage were unfairly taken by either side of the situation thus produced, American authorities, because of their action in having partaken in the exchange of such assurances, would have the responsibility of an unfortunate association with the matter.
- 3.
- The Department therefore is regretfully of the opinion that in the circumstances appertaining to the properties in question it would not be advisable that American authorities make an approach to the Japanese on the basis indicated.
- 4.
- The Department has given careful consideration to the views expressed in your 446, September 11, noon, and 447, September 13, 4 p.m., in regard to the difference between the Japanese and Chinese positions in relation to foreign lives and property at Hankow and fully appreciates the point made by you that the Chinese are on the defensive there. The Department believes, however, that a considerable latitude of action in the formulation of defense measures is open to the Chinese and that such measures might be designed either to invite or to discourage hostilities in the neighborhood of the foreign residential area, without material sacrifice of legitimate military considerations. The Department, with the foregoing in mind, believes that it would be entirely appropriate for you and the American Consul General at Hankow to exert every effort, as occasion offers, to keep before the Chinese authorities the location of American nationals and property to the end that the Chinese take measures to avoid, within the latitude indicated above, measures that would tend to endanger American lives and property.
Repeat to Hankow.
Hull