793.94/14246: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—12:35 p.m.]
30. The British Navy turned over policing of the former British Concession to the Japanese military at 11:00 this morning in a military ceremony. A small American naval force participated. I did not know of this American participation until I saw the American seamen drawn up with the British to receive the Japanese.
A British consular officer confidentially states that the agreement for turning over the policing of the former British Concession to the Japanese Army was reached between the British Admiral here and the Japanese military without previous notice to either the Director of Special Administrative District 3 or the British Consulate General.
Difficulty is being experienced in getting refugees to move to the new refugee zone designated by the Japanese from the streets of the [Page 353] former concessions where they have been camping despite 3 days of rain.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping.