793.94/13420: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—7 a.m.]
977. My 969, July 9, 2 p.m.17 I have received this morning from Morito Morishima, Counselor of the Japanese Embassy, the following letter dated July 10:
“I have the honor to inform you that I have been requested by our military authorities to communicate the following to the representatives of the foreign powers in China.
On June 20 the Imperial Japanese Government having in view the respect for and protection of the lives and property of third powers nationals made a certain communication to the third powers concerned [Page 401] and advised among others that nationals of third powers would evacuate from areas of actual fighting to safer places.
As various information points to the conclusion that the Chinese Army intent upon the defense of Hankow is at present concentrating great numbers of troops and piling up large quantities of munitions in certain strategic areas, the Japanese military forces will be compelled if strategically required to carry out most intensive bombing upon Chinese troops and their military establishments in these areas especially in the following places: Sinyang and its vicinity; Hankow and its vicinity; Kiukiang and its vicinity; Nanchang and its vicinity; Ikiawan (near Chuchow) and its vicinity; Changsha and its vicinity; Yochow and its vicinity.
In view of the prospect that actual fighting will most probably take place in the above-mentioned areas it is earnestly hoped that nationals of third powers give their best consideration to it that they will evacuate from these areas and in case this is not possible will keep themselves away from Chinese troops and their military establishments.”
Repeated to Hankow, Peiping and Tokyo. Copy handed American senior naval officer present.