393.115/12–249: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 2—5:56 a. m.]
5036. Re ConGentel 4977, November 29, attack on SS Sir John Franklin. Following eyewitness description first part of incident received from British frigate Cardigan Bay. Report received from British Admiralty Office, Hong Kong, through British Naval Attaché, Shanghai:
[“]Cardigan Bay reports US ship Sir John Franklin passed Kiutoan at speed and disregarded order to stop. Fired on and hit at least 3 times by 3–inch shells. Tai Ho gave chase but radar indicated that she gave up just short of middle ground buoy. Consider Chinese acted with restraint as only opened fire after Franklin blatantly ignored 2 demands to stop and was well past guardship who was slow in getting under way. Franklin passed within 1 mile of 2 destroyers who could [have] overwhelmed her had they wished to stop her regardless of consequences. Only about 4 rounds observed from Cardigan Bay of which 3 hit ship and possible Starr-shell when out of sight.”
It will be noted that British Admiralty account differs from report of master Sir John Franklin in that British allege Chinese warship twice demanded Sir John Franklin to stop and in stating that Chinese warship acted with “restraint”. Our Naval Attaché inclined to agree with British Admiralty that unless marksmanship of destroyer incredibly bad they could easily have sunk or immobilized Sir John Franklin had they been determined so to do.
Use of word such as “blatantly” this context by commanding officer Cardigan Bay would seem to indicate certain bias his part, detracting somewhat from appearance of absolute objectivity desirable in report of this nature.
Consulate General endeavoring to clear up confusion as to whether one or two warnings given American ship by Chinese warships.