793.94/13194: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lochhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—10:20 a.m.]
821. My 812, June 11, noon,53 and 813, June 11, 1 p.m.54 I received similar notices this afternoon from the Japanese Consul General who explained that the suggestion for distinguishing marks was not “rigid”; that foreign naval vessels would be expected to use their own methods of employing distinguishing markings; that all the Japanese naval and military authorities are concerned about is that vessels navigating the stretch of the Yangtze described be so clearly identified by markings that there would be no possibility of a mistake being made by aviators; that flags flying or painted on awnings had by experience been proven not altogether reliable as a means of protection.
I told my Japanese colleague of the action taken on Mr. Tani’s55 notices and informed him that the communication of the notices in no way relieved the Japanese authorities of their responsibility. I [asked?] him to communicate this observation to Mr. Tani.
Hidaka stated that the Japanese intended to move on Hankow and expected to occupy it in due course. Admiral Yarnell has been informed of the foregoing.
Repeated to Hankow, Peiping, Tokyo.
- Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 597.↩
- Ibid., p. 598.↩
- Japanese Minister at Large in China.↩