394.115 Panay/45: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—6:05 a.m.]
44. I have just called upon Admiral Crabbe and expressed to him our appreciation of the assistance which British Navy have given wholeheartedly in effecting rescue of survivors Panay and convoy. I asked Admiral Crabbe to express our particular thanks to Admiral Holt and Captain O’Donnell of H. M. S. Bee for the gallant way in which he and the company of the Bee have handled the whole matter.
My 43 [42?], December 14, 11 a.m.75 Oahu is now at Hohsien and Department will observe from despatches 1014–0920 [1243?] from Oahu, and 0114–0928 from Commander-in-Chief Asiatic Fleet76 that arrangements have been made by Commander-in-Chief for Oahu to proceed to Shanghai with Panay survivors, Japanese naval ship Hozu cooperating. It is now impossible for Oahu and survivors to reach Hankow because of barrier in river below Kiukiang.