393.1115/3419: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 20—8 a.m.]
1013. My 1003, July 18, 6 p.m., quoting letter from Japanese Consul General dated July 18.
1. The following letter dated July 19 has been received this morning from the Japanese Consul General.
“With reference to my letter No. 7, of July 18, I have the honor to add a few words which I trust will serve to elucidate the contents of that letter and avoid any misunderstanding that may arise in the future.
It is stated in the last paragraph of my letter above referred to, that ‘in case the American authorities desire to bring American nationals into the area under the control of the Japanese Army in an appropriate way—for example by carrying in warships—our military authorities will not fail to afford adequate protection for them.’ This, however, does not in any way modify the terms regarding the movement of foreign men of war and vessels, as stated in (1), (2) and (3) of the memorandum attached to the letter No. 7 of [sic] or Morishima[‘s letter] of July 8, addressed to your Ambassador.
The statement quoted above is not to be understood as to allow American men of war or vessels [to] move down to Nanking or Shanghai when they come, with American refugees on board, into the area under Japanese control.”
2. For Morishima’s letter, which was transmitted through the Japanese Consul General, please see my 969, July 9, 2 p.m.26
Sent to Hankow. Repeated to Tokyo and Tsingtao for Commander-in-Chief.