393.115 Hunt Company, William/35: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 25—10:20 a.m.]
316. Shanghai’s 874, June 20, 8 p.m.81 Admiral LeBreton82 informs me of receipt of letter from captain of Monocacy at Kiukiang stating that he has received word from China Merchants83 at that place that it will give him list of China Merchants floating equipment there which will be prepared to accompany Monocacy if and when Monocacy proceeds up river. China Merchants equipment to be filled with Chinese refugees. I have asked LeBreton to inform Monocacy that American Government does not recognize right of China Merchants property to American protection and that he should so inform China Merchants at Kiukiang. But situation is fraught with danger for Monocacy should these China steamers decide to surround and follow Monocacy upstream in view of Japanese practice of bombing merchant shipping on river. Shanghai should without delay tell Hunt and Company to advise China Merchants to leave Kiukiang independently of Monocacy. I have suggested to Admiral that Monocacy should inform Japanese through Shanghai of its whereabouts and whether merchant shipping nearby.
Sent to Shanghai.