793.94/8898: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 21—11:30 a.m.]
274. A Secretary of the Japanese Embassy asked a member of my staff this morning whether any Americans were residing in the Western [Page 242] Hills. When informed that there were two or three the Secretary replied that his Embassy had been informed by their Consulate General in Tientsin that in case negotiations with the Chinese broke down it might become necessary for the Japanese military to drive the 37th Division away, an action which might make the Western Hills a place of danger. In reply to question the Japanese Secretary stated that he assumed that they would learn prior to an outbreak of fighting that fighting is imminent. The member of my staff requested him to inform this Embassy in such a case so that due warning could be issued in adequate time to American citizens. The Secretary said that he would do so. This Embassy had already communicated a warning to these Americans.