393.115 Standard Vacuum Oil Co./270
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch no. 585 of July 9, 1940,92 in regard to various alleged attacks by Chinese armed forces on certain installation properties of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company at Ichang, Hupeh, on June 29, June 30, and July 1, 1940, I have now the honor to enclose a copy in translation of a note dated July 9, 1940, received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs,90 stating that the Chinese Air Force made no flights on June 30 (whereas a wireless communication received by the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company from its Ichang representative stated that on June 30 “Chinese planes …93 bombed just outside installation, causing damage”) and asserting that if the American Company really suffered losses on June 30 “they should not have been due to mistaken bombing by the Chinese Air Force.”
The Embassy has communicated a copy of the Foreign Minister’s note under reference to the local representative of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company, has asked that an endeavor be made to establish the facts concerning the alleged bombing of June 30 and has requested that the findings, together with such comment as the Company [Page 889] may wish to offer, be sent to the Embassy for transmission to the appropriate Chinese authorities.
Respectfully yours,