398.115 Dollar Wharf and Warehouse Company/5: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 4—2:26 a.m.]
355. Our 340, May 31, 7 p.m.39 Attack crews of American launches. The Naval Attaché yesterday discussed this matter with the senior aide to the Navy Minister. The Naval Attaché’s report of the aide’s statement follows:
“‘The naval authorities at Shanghai had made an immediate investigation. Both incidents had occurred shortly after midnight. The American flag was not seen. When ordered to stop by the picket boats, both launches attempted to escape, they were overtaken and boarded. The Japanese patrols were wrought up over the failure of the launches to stop and the resulting chase and consequently took their spite out of the Chinese. Picket boats patrol the Whangpoo to protect the Idzumo and other Japanese men-of-war there from suspicious craft. Reference was made to attempts last fall to attack the Idzumo both by torpedoes and mines.
Would I transmit to my Navy Department the above explanation of the actions of the Japanese naval men with the request that such explanation be given to the United States public in order that they might realize such actions of Japanese naval personnel were not directed against American rights and interests.’
The Foreign Office had referred the matter to the Navy Minister who had explained in substance as above. The Foreign Office note should have been presented to the Ambassador ere this. He would request the Foreign Office to expedite the transmission of the reply to the American Ambassador.
It was clearly evident both from his attitude and remarks that the senior aide was quite gravely concerned about the matter which possibly reflects the feeling of the Navy Minister.”
Repeated to Shanghai for Hankow.
- Not printed; see note No. 943, May 30, 1938, from the American Ambassador in Japan to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 591.↩