Office of the Historian

893.102 Kulangsu/174: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Amoy (MacVitty)

Washington, June 19, 1939—6 p.m.

19. Your 55, June 19, 6 p.m. The Department hopes that its further representations to the Japanese Government (see Department’s 166, June 17, 1 p.m., to Tokyo, repeated to you) will result in an alleviation of the situation at Kulangsu, and is accordingly not now prepared to come to a decision in regard to what steps might be considered advisable in case the blockade should be extended against foreign shipping from other ports carrying food supplies to the International Settlement for the use of Americans and other foreign residents. Please continue to report promptly by radio in connection with all phases of the situation.

The Department appreciates the difficulties which you are facing and desires that you continue to use your influence toward the exercise of restraint and the avoidance of precipitate action.

Sent to Amoy. Repeated to Chungking, Peiping and Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Hull