793.94/14845: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:40 p.m.]
223. Following is Embassy’s translation of a [note] from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated March 28 and received today:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the American Embassy and has the honor to state that it has received a communication from the Military Affairs Commission to the effect that Japanese naval vessels are constantly creating disturbances in the Haimen region of Chekiang Province, thus rendering it impossible for merchant vessels to pass, that, in order to avoid incidents, the area was blocked beginning March 26, and that warships and merchant vessels of all nationalities are not permitted to proceed thereto.
The Ministry, in inditing this note for the Embassy’s information, has the honor to request that the American Embassy instruct all warships and merchant vessels under its jurisdiction to take note.”
Shanghai and Hong Kong please communicate the substance of foregoing to appropriate American naval authorities and shippers.
Sent to Shanghai, Hong Kong. Repeated to Peiping, Foochow.