793.94/13197: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
177. Your 286, June 12, 1 p.m.59
1. Newspapers carry today United Press story dated Shanghai, June 12, with sensational headlines such as “Yarnell defies Japan”, “Won’t bar U.S. ships in war zone”, “Says Navy will go where it is needed”, “Sharp reply to Nippon insists upon right to guard Americans”, etc.
In text this story contains statements such as: “In a sharply worded message, Yarnell set forth three principles of American naval operation in Asiatic waters”; “Yarnell reinforced his refusal to accept the Japanese request by planning an inspection of American fighting ships stationed up the Yangtze. He made his attitude even more specific by ‘informing’ the Japanese of his intention of making the trip”, etc.
[Page 354]The American Government deprecates and deplores such publicity. It adds greatly to the difficulty of our endeavors to have our own press and public envisage in proper perspective the situation in China and our policy and procedure in general in reference thereto.
There is a strong element of public opinion in this country which is opposed to the running of any risks of American embroilment abroad and which advocates complete withdrawal from any and all points of danger in the Far East, with insistence especially upon removal of all our armed forces. Any publicity suggestive of a bellicose attitude on the part of our people, whether official or unofficial, in China, simply plays into the hands of such elements.
This Government desires that all action, including giving of publicity, by American official representatives in the Far East be in conformity with the concepts of policy and execution outlined in previous instructions and public utterances repeatedly made by the Secretary of State on the subject of affording protection under rules of reason.
2. In the light of the above, the Department questions the advisability of Admiral Yarnell making a visit to Nanking and Wuhu at a time when active hostilities are imminent or in process immediately above Wuhu. Navy Department has no indication what would motivate such visit. Please telegraph Department your view as to advisability of such visit at this time.
3. This telegram is being repeated to Shanghai and will be shown to Admiral Yarnell.