793.94/12043: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

25. Your January 10, 4 p.m. On January 51 wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs informing him of return of Embassy personnel to Embassy, Nanking, and continued

“There is considerable American property in Nanking scattered about the city, information concerning which was communicated to you some months ago.

In view of the fact that a day or two ago Chinese airplanes carried out an air raid over Nanking dropping bombs on the water front near the railway station and other places I desire to remind you of the presence of the staff of this Embassy in Nanking, of the presence there of Americans and of American property; and to ask that you will convey this information to the military and air services of the Chinese Government with the request that due care be taken, in any military operations over or around Nanking by land or from the air, to protect these Americans and their property.”

No further action seems necessary. Copies of letter were given to colleagues here.

Sent to Nanking, repeated to Shanghai.

Johnson