811.30 Asiatic Fleet/563½
Memorandum Prepared in the Department of State
Under date August 29 Admiral Yarnell telegraphed the Navy Department as follows:
“Before informing Jap Admiral that Monocacy must proceed Shanghai prior 10 September due shortage fuel and provisions request your views.”
Some two weeks ago Mr. Grew at Tokyo made strong oral representations to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to the end that the Japanese Government withdraw its objections to the U. S. S. Monocacy proceeding to Shanghai. (The Monocacy desired to proceed to Shanghai because of shortage of fuel and provisions and for the relief of personnel.) The Japanese Government declined to withdraw [Page 179] its objections because of important military and tactical considerations; stated that every effort would be made to do so at the earliest possible moment; and offered, on request, to furnish Japanese vessels for the supply or transportation of provisions or fuel and for the transportation of mails or personnel. Mr. Grew interpreted the Japanese reply as a categorical refusal and said that in his opinion we had exhausted diplomatic resources.
On being informed of the Japanese Government’s attitude, Admiral Yarnell telegraphed the Navy Department proposing that he reply to the Japanese Admiral that while we could not relinquish any right of free navigation on the Yangtze River he was prepared, in view of the navigational difficulties now existing temporarily below Kiukiang, to delay the sailing of the Monocacy. Admiral Yarnell stated that, inasmuch as he lacked any information of military operations now taking place near the Matang boom and conditions in the river, he considered it advisable to retain the Monocacy at Kiukiang until Japanese cooperation for her passage down the river is obtained. Admiral Yarnell pointed out that a factor in the situation was the aid which might be rendered by the Monocacy to American nationals now at Kuling. Admiral Yarnell also proposed that he accept the Japanese offer for transportation of fuel, provisions and personnel. The Navy Department approved Admiral Yarnell’s recommendation except for the acceptance of offer of transportation of fuel and provisions from the Japanese which was not approved at that time.
It is to be noted that the British also have a gunboat at Kiukiang; that the British have not taken up at Tokyo the question of the British gunboat proceeding to Shanghai; and that so far as we know the British gunboat will remain at Kiukiang.
It is our belief that the Japanese will continue to object to the Monocacy proceeding down the river to Shanghai. Admiral Yarnell has no information in regard to the situation near the Matang boom. Should the Monocacy decide to proceed down river in face of Japanese objections, the Japanese could easily prevent the passage of the Monocacy through the boom. A Japanese pilot might be needed for pilotage through the boom. There would also be danger from mines.
In view of the foregoing, we do not believe that the issue or issues involved warrant (a) insistence on our part that the Japanese withdraw their objections or (b) the sailing of the vessel in the face of Japanese objections. Moreover, in view of the fact that we believe that a further approach to the Japanese would be unsuccessful, we suggest that no such further approach be made. Also, if by the time the Monocacy has exhausted its supply of fuel and provisions the situation on the river remains unchanged, we suggest that Admiral Yarnell’s recommendation that he accept the Japanese offer for transportation of fuel and provisions be approved.