Washington, Aug. 15.
Following the example of Great Britain, the United States had made the most earnest representations to the Japanese gnd Chinese Governments not to use Shanghai as a "theatre of operations," according to an announcement by Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State.
The United States Ambassador to China, Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, added Mr. Hull, had proceeded to Shanghai with a view to consolidating plans to preserve the safety of American life and property.
The Secretary of State emphasized that the United States placed primary importance on continued consultation with other governments in making representations to China and Japan for the avoidance of a conflict in Shanghai.
The Asiatic Fleet, he declared, was prepared, on short notice, to remove about 3,000 Americans from—the trouble zone, if necessary. The State Department was holding itself ready day and night to ce-operate with the y to get vessels into the zone in time to give whatever protection was necessary.
Mr. Hull further stated that American diplomats and naval officials conferred constantly with representatives responsible Shanghai on of other governments for their nationals in methods of protecting heir citizens.
He added that he greatly deplored th American casualties, and explained that Amefican diplomats in the principal conflict zones had been inneted to close their offices and leave when they considered the situation sufficiently dangerous.
Referring to the despatch of the An flagship of the United States Asiatic Fleet, to Shanghai, the Navy Department said that naval officials stood under orders to "act on the spot and on their own judgment"
erding to the seriousness of the ation.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.