Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, The Far East, Volume IV

393.1123 Nyhus, Phoebe/25: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, November 15, 1938—3 p.m.
[Received November 15—8:30 a.m.]

680. My 646, October 29, noon.

1. A note was received from the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy dated November 11, stating that this Embassy’s note had been promptly transmitted to the Japanese Consulate General [military authorities] in Peiping which in turn had referred the matter to the Japanese Consul General in Shanghai for investigation. The Japanese note stated that an expression of regret was communicated to the American Consul General in Shanghai by the Japanese Consul General and that “the bombing of the mission was absolutely unintentional”. The note concluded, “I also desire to take this opportunity in expressing my profound regret to you for the happening of this misfortune”.

2. A further note has now been received from the Japanese Embassy setting forth information substantially in accord with Shanghai’s 1402 of November 10, noon. Copies of the two notes will be forwarded by mail.⁴³

Repeated to Chungking, Hankow, Shanghai, Tokyo.

Lockhart

43. Neither printed.