124.932/584: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 22—10:20 a.m.]
295. Major General Harada called on me this afternoon and made formal expression of regret as follows:
“I express our sincere regret for the violation of American Embassy property in Nanking. In this connection I should like to assure you that the Japanese authorities have taken appropriate steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents. As for the question of desecration of American flags we are conducting investigations. It is however most regrettable if such a thing did happen. I therefore express regret for the matter as well.”
Repeated to Tokyo, Hankow and Nanking.