740.0011 Pacific War/694: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai ( Stanton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7—7:22 p.m.]
Received telephone call at 4:15 this morning. A Japanese naval officer stated, “A state of war exists between my country and yours and I am taking control of Wake”. All communications with Wake cut off and no further information is available regarding her. H. M. S Petrel, small British gunboat, blew up at about the same time. Japanese in control of waterfront but have not taken over Settlement or French Concession. City quiet.
All confidential codes and papers destroyed, including those aboard Wake except ditof [sic].