393.115/514: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 14—7 a.m.]
541. Shanghai’s November 8, 8 p.m., transmitting Tokyo’s 713, November 8, 1 [2] p.m.41 Following is text of a circular letter dated November 12 which is being circulated to American nationals in Chinese held areas of Central and Western China.
“The American Embassy has received, through the American Ambassador at Tokyo, a translation of a formal circular communication from the Japanese authorities dated November 7th, 1938 in which it is stated that ‘the hostilities in China will henceforth gradually expand further toward the west, and Shensi Province, Hupeh Province and Hunan Province are in many cases [in the near future] to become areas of hostilities. Further, even west of the above mentioned areas up to a line connecting Suchow (Kansu), Batang (Sikang) and Tali (Yunnan), military objectives in Chinese territory are to be subjected to attack by Japanese military airplanes’. The Japanese authorities therefore request that appropriate measures be taken in relation to the following desiderata, with a view to the protection of the lives and property of American and other third country nationals in those areas:
- (1)
- that travel by American nationals is to be undertaken at the risk of the travelers concerned;
- (2)
- that in order to ensure their safety, the withdrawal of American nationals to safe areas is desired where possible;
- (3)
- that the Japanese authorities request that they be notified in ample time of the property interests of American nationals in these areas, and that such property be very clearly marked so as to be visible from the air and from the ground. The Japanese authorities declare, in this connection, that they cannot assume responsibility for the protection of Chinese property which is deliberately transferred to the names of nationals of third countries;
- (4)
- that the Japanese authorities assert that they cannot assume responsibility for the protection of the property of third country nationals which is utilized by, or is in close proximity to, Chinese military forces.
It is believed that a number of American nationals in Central and Western China have complied with the request contained in item 3. American nationals who have not done so are urged to mark their property in a distinct manner so that it can be easily identified from the ground and from the air. Further, American nationals in Central and Western China who have not submitted maps showing the location of their property are urged promptly to prepare such maps [Page 535] in as much detail as possible and to submit four copies of each to this Embassy or to the American Consul at Yunnanfu for transmission to the Japanese authorities.
The American Embassy, in transmitting the foregoing Japanese desiderata to American nationals in West China, desires to point out that such action is not to be construed as signifying American official sanction or recognition of such requests and declarations; it is merely an action calculated to put American nationals on notice as to Japanese intentions and desires.
The American Embassy desires to take this opportunity, however, to recall the advice tendered by the American Government, through its representatives in China, following the outbreak of hostilities: namely, that American nationals in areas where hostilities were likely to occur or where transportation facilities might be suspended were urged where practicable to withdraw to places of safety, such advice applying particularly to women and children and to men who could leave without great inconvenience. The American Government continues to adhere to that policy; accordingly, the Embassy would urge that American nationals in West China bear this in mind when given [giving] consideration to the Japanese desiderata as outlined above.”
Yunnanfu is being instructed to circulate a similar letter to American nationals in the Yunnanfu Consular District.
Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai, Shanghai please mail to Tokyo.
- Not printed; but for Japanese note of November 7 see Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 628.↩