811.30 Asiatic Fleet/476: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
225. Your 391, August 1, 10 a.m., in regard to the Monocacy. The Department suggests that in your discussion of the matter with the Commander of the Yangtze Patrol you express the opinion that, although we do not admit Japanese right to limit the movements of our naval vessels, the Commander of the Monocacy might appropriately be instructed to inform the senior Japanese naval officer that, in the light of the advice regarding the presence of mines off the installation, he is not prepared to carry out his movement as planned but that he must insist that facilities be put at his disposal at an early moment for visiting Kiukiang to make contact with American nationals there. Although the Department does not wish at this stage to take up the matter at Tokyo, it perceives no objection to its being taken up with the competent Japanese military authorities at Shanghai should you and our naval authorities on the spot consider such action advisable.
The Department would appreciate being informed with regard to the present position and intentions of the British gunboat at Kiukiang.
Please repeat to Shanghai for repetition to Tokyo.