793.94112/406: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—4:10 a.m.]
1319. Today I received a consular body circular embodying a letter from the Japanese Consul General transmitting the following information.
“I have the honor to inform you that the Japanese South China Seas Fleet will shortly start military operations against Chinese positions in Shuitung District, Kwangtung Province, and that in order that the possibility that third power vessels being involved and receiving any damage while in that district may be avoided it is desired that third power vessels refrain from entering that district.
It is therefore requested that third power authorities will immediately see that due warning be given to their respective shipping interests and that steps be taken so that their vessels do not proceed to the above mentioned district.
[Page 554]I shall be grateful if you will be good enough to bring the above to the immediate notice of our honorable colleagues.”
The senior American naval officer present and American shipping companies in Shanghai have been informed.
Sent to Department. Repeated to Peiping, Chungking, Swatow, Hong Kong, Canton and by air mail to Tokyo.