393.1115/3443: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of
State
Shanghai, July 23, 1938—9
p.m.
[Received July 23—1:40 p.m.]
1031. My 1026, July 22, 4 p.m. I have received tonight a letter from
Minister Tani enclosing a memorandum reading as follows:
- “1. Should the Chinese still transport munitions of war by
means of connecting freight cars to passenger trains
carrying nationals of third powers, in spite of the Japanese
warning against such practice and the request of the third
powers for their representations at the Hankow Government,
the Japanese forces would be forced to bomb such freight
cars. The Chinese should be held responsible for any
consequences that might follow with regard to the safety of
third power nationals.
- 2. It is requested that the journey of third power
nationals by special train between Canton and Hankow, which
will be arranged among interested powers concerned and
notified in advance to the Japanese authorities, be
organized to take place once approximately every 10 or 14
days. In such case it is needless to say that the Japanese
forces are prepared to take every possible means to assure
the safety of the said train.”
Sent to Hankow, repeated to Tokyo and to Chefoo for
Commander-in-Chief.
