800.3393/622: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 13—1:35 p.m.]
112. This afternoon my Japanese colleague called and after stating that Japan will remain strictly neutral in the European war and that it will concentrate on the China affair informed me that he had this morning asked the British Acting Consul General and [the French?] Consul General to withdraw their gunboats from Canton waters. He added that this information was being conveyed to me and the Italian Consul under instructions from his Government.
It is understood that the Consuls concerned have referred the matter to their respective Governments. It may be mentioned that the French gunboat is now in Hong Kong and that Japanese agreement to its return to Canton might be difficult to obtain. There is one British gunboat here.
It will be recalled that shortly after the commencement of the World War the German gunboat at Canton was disarmed and placed in the custody of the customs and that the British and French gunboats were withdrawn from Canton waters.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong.