394.115 Panay/443: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

147. Your 265, April 22, 9 p.m. Following in reply to your numbered paragraphs:

1.
If you have not already done so, you should make a simple acknowledgment of the receipt of the note and the enclosed check from the Minister of Foreign Affairs without additional comment other than a statement that you are transmitting them to your Government.
2.
(a) You may furnish a memorandum in sense requested by Foreign Office.
For your information four vessels were sunk. A fifth vessel was beached and burned.
(c) Japanese Government may salvage vessels of Standard-Vacuum Oil Company on the understanding that representatives of the company may be present when vessels are raised and be permitted to recover books, documents and papers constituting official records of the company, as well as logs, registry documents, et cetera for purpose of turning them over to the American consular authorities in China. Will advise later regarding Panay.
4.
(e) and (f) Department will supply data regarding Standard Vacuum Oil Company claim when distribution shall have been made.

Welles