893.811/1025: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Linnell) to the Secretary of
State
Canton, November 7, 1938—5
p.m.
[Received 7:35 p.m.]
49. The Japanese Consul General has notified the Consular Corps in Canton
as follows:
- “1. The Japanese Navy has opened the Chinese barriers at
second bar and hill passage (Pearl River) for Japanese
military operations. At present the passage is for the
purpose of Japanese military operations only. The use of
this passage by third power warships cannot be agreed to in
principle but as a number of third power consuls have
approached the Japanese Navy for passage, they have decided
to give favorable consideration to the wishes of such
warships as from November 10 under the following conditions:
- (1)
- Warships must navigate at their own risk.
- (2)
- When absolutely necessary from the [viewpoint] of
military operations, the Japanese Navy must close
such passage temporarily.
- (3)
- Such warships should have reasonable speed not to
impede movements of Japanese small craft in the
stream of the river.
- (4)
- Navigation confined to hours of daylight.
- (5)
- The Japanese will conduct warships through the
barriers.
- (6)
- In order to avoid misunderstandings third powers
should give the Japanese Navy adequate previous
notice regarding names of ships and time and date of
intended passage. At present at least 48 hours
notice is desirable but this may be reduced
later.
- 2. If warships wish to get out of the West River before
completion of the barriers at Shawan (Chinese telegraph code
3097 and 3494), Wangmoon (2897 and 7024) and Samshui (0005
and 3056), they may do so. These barriers will be completed
November 12th or 13th and thereafter for some time
navigation through the barriers will be
impossible.[”]
