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THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, and Efforts OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued

Date and number

1931

Oct. 9

Oct. 10 (735)

Oct. 10

Oct. 10 (736)

Oct. 10 (87)

Oct. 10 (738)

Oct. 10 (78)

Oct. [11] (740)

Oct. 11 (172)

Subject

From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to
the Chinese Legation

Second note to the Japanese Government (text printed)
concerning the reestablishment of Chinese Government in
Manchuria. Request that Department be asked to authorize
its representatives to accompany units occupying evacuated
territories.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Report from Hanson and Salisbury via Harbin of withdrawal of Japanese soldiers from Tunhua and Kirin-Tunhua Railway, October 5.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking: Desire of Chinese leaders to have U. S. observer at meeting of the Council.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Japanese memorandum for the Chinese Government (text printed) proclaiming anti-Japanese movement in China a form of hostile act contrary to all standards of justice and friendship and declaring Chinese Government responsible for any consequences.

To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Concern of Secretary over reports of the situation, and instructions to inform Acting Foreign Minister, impressing upon him the necessity for self-restraint on the part of both nations. From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Opinion orally stated to Japanese Consulate General that present situation does not justify its request for a copy of the R. C. A.-Chinese Government agreement. Legation's reminder to Mukden of Department's instructions, and request to Department for further instructions.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Instructions to inform Drummond of assumption that Council will meet by October 14 to consider Sino-Japanese situation, of Department's concern, and of probable imminence of resorting to Anti-War Pact.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Telegram from the Acting Foreign Minister, October 9 (text printed), reporting Japanese attack on Chinchow and requesting the delegation of an American to participate in an investigation requested of the League's missions.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Page

149

150

151

151

152

153

154

154

155

Request from Drummond that, as Department's reports are more complete than any at his disposal, he be permitted to convey the information to Council members as Department's, confidentially or otherwise.

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Urgent instructions to obtain complete report on the bombing of Chinchow.

157

THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued

Date and

number

1931

Subject

Page

Oct. 11 (180)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

157

Information that Council meeting called for October 13 will deal solely with Sino-Japanese question, with probable emphasis on execution by each country of its commitments.

Oct. 12 (181)

158

Oct. 12 (83)

Oct. 12 (182)

Oct. 12 (183)

Oct. 12 (389)

Oct. 12

Oct. 12 (747)

Oct. 12

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Note from Japanese delegation in Paris (text printed) defining Japanese attitude and proposing its readiness for direct negotiations for settlement of fundamental points before withdrawal of troops.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Explanation for Drummond of unwillingness for him to disclose Department as a source of information, as such disclosure might hinder U. S. observers in Manchuria; probability that reports from different sources will vary and that revelation of such sources will encourage controversy.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Message from Japanese Government to the Council members (text printed) reiterating its attitude toward direct negotiations and placing responsibility for improvement in the situation on Chinese sincerity in considering Japanese note of October 9.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Message from Japanese Government to the Council members (text printed) citing instances of Japanese evacuation from consulates and establishments in China as result of antiJapanese movement.

To the Minister in China (tel.)

Instructions for Mukden: Inquiry regarding developments pertaining to radio station; reiteration of instructions and desire for full report.

From the Consul General at Shanghai (tel.)

Review of tense conditions in the International Settlement due to Japanese show of military forces and Chinese complete boycott.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking: Consul General's interview with Minister of Industries, who referred to information that, upon Japan's denial of territorial ambitions, the United States had discouraged intervention by other countries, and who asked what would be the U. S. attitude if Japan evinced no intention of carrying out commitments.

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State

Secretary's oral suggestion to the French Ambassador to inform Briand that if the League called the attention of Japan and China to the Kellogg Pact obligations, the United States would act concurrently; Ambassador's opinion that Japan had gone too far, but that it had endured much in Manchuria.

159

160

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162

163

164

164

THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued

Date and number

1931

Oct. 12

Oct. 12 (85)

Oct. 12 (748)

Oct. 12 (186)

Oct. 12 (749)

Oct. 12 (750)

Oct. 13 (754)

Subject

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State of a Conversation

With the Japanese Ambassador

Ambassador's explanation of Japanese attitude toward bombing of Chinchow and acts of Japanese military; his assertion of Japanese peaceful intentions. Under Secretary's advice that American public opinion was turning against Japan.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Suggestion for Drummond that independent invocation of the Kellogg Pact in Washington might embarrass the work of the League; opinion that value of the Pact is in mobilizing world public opinion against breach of peace.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Page

165

167

168

Report that Col. Margetts and Lt. Brown will investigate
Chinchow incident.

168

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Messages from Chinese Government to Council members (texts printed) reporting Japanese movements and destruction. From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking: Report of delivery of Department's message of October 10 to Acting Foreign Minister, who inquired what failure by China to execute commitments was referred to.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking: Information from Soong that although the Japanese had proposed that the two Governments announce representatives to discuss matters in Manchuria, they had not replied to Chinese inquiry for particulars.

169

169

From the Minister in China (tel.)

170

From Hanson and Salisbury: Report of events and situation at Kirin and Tunhwa, with opinion that pretexts motivating Japanese action were not justified.

From the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

174

Oct. 13 (183)

Oct. 13 (88)

Oct. 13 (86)

Report that Japanese Government is handicapped as
General Staff is not subordinate to Minister of War. Belief
that final settlement rests with China and Japan themselves.
To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Transmittal to the Minister of Department's press state-
ment of October 11 (text printed) which quoted the communi-
cation to the Secretary General of the League outlining U. S.
action as independent with an endeavor to reinforce League

action.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Instructions to discuss with Drummond the possibility that, in view of China's feeling of a weaker position in direct negotiations, an arrangement could be made for negotiations with friendly observers present; advisability of suggestion coming from the Council.

175

176

THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued

Date and

number

1931

Subject

Page

Oct. 13 (188)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Oct. 13

Oct. 13 (91)

Oct. 13 (192)

Oct. 13 (87)

Oct. 13 (193)

Oct. 13 (88)

Oct. 13 (763)

Oct. 13 (194)

Indications that developments in connection with the Kellogg Pact will be along the lines of Department's policy; Consul's plan of action in event of being invited to a seat at the Council table.

Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Gilbert: Authorization to Gilbert to accept the Council's invitation but to act merely as an observer on matters unrelated to the Kellogg Pact; desire of the Secretary not to force his views on the invocation of the Pact on the Council, as it is a matter for their judgment.

To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Instructions to inform the Acting Foreign Minister that a full report on the Chinchow incident is expected momentarily from U. S. official sources.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Message from Japanese Government to the Council members (text printed) announcing the dispatch to Shanghai of warships and marine fusiliers to protect Japanese interests, but explaining that it will not be necessary to land the forces if the Chinese quell the anti-Japanese movement.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Authorization to Gilbert to sit in any Council discussion of the Manchurian situation as observer and auditor and to participate in discussions relative to the possible application of the Kellogg Pact.

177

178

183

183

183

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

184

Chinese statement of the case before an extraordinary session of the Council.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

184

Opening statement (text printed) for Gilbert if invited to the Council; instructions to clarify Department's position on invocation of the Kellogg Pact and its desire not to insist on invocation if peaceful settlement appears possible otherwise.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Hanson and Salisbury: Letter from Consul General at Mukden (substance printed) reporting Japanese control of civil administration in Mukden and information from Japanese Consul General that resumption of service at the Mukden radio station is under consideration by the Japanese military. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

186

187

Draft text of statement to be made by Briand before the Council in introducing discussion of the relationship of Council action to the Kellogg Pact.

Oct. 13 (195)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

188

Information that Japanese are objecting to the United States' joining in the Council's deliberations under any condition.

THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS

OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued

Date and

number

1931 Oct. 13 (764)

Oct. 14 (196)

Oct. 14 (197)

Oct. 14 (198)

Oct. 14

Oct. 14 (199)

Oct. 14 (85)

Oct. 14 (196)

Oct. 14 (200)

Subject

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Reuter report of statements by General Chiang before a political meeting that China did not go to the League for protection, but because she is a member, and that if the League failed, China would take matters into her own hands.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Page

188

189

Statements of Japanese and Chinese representatives before the Council reiterating their positions.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

190

Denial by Sze of rumors that China was willing to negotiate directly with Japan.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

190

Information that Briand has suggested plan similar to Secretary's idea for negotiations with friendly observers present. Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State

Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador, who stated that a sensation was created in the Japanese press by the use of the word "pressure" in a U. S. communication to the League; Under Secretary's assurance that this referred only to the moral pressure of public opinion.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Information that Briand is proposing privately an "ingenious plan" to send neutral individuals with the Chinese forces taking over upon Japanese evacuation, such neutrals to report on the manner in which Chinese execute their commitments. From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Chinese memorandum (text printed) in reply to Japanese note of October 9, outlining Chinese conformity to League resolution and disclaiming responsibility for Japan's failure to comply.

To the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Instructions to clarify Department's position as one, not of sitting in judgment, but of prevention of hostilities and encouragement of direct negotiations; Department's attitude in connection with the Shantung negotiations, to be expressed in case Shidehara should bring up the matter.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Informal approval by Council members of invitation to the United States; assumption that Japanese representative's desire to consult Tokyo is an attempt to delay this action.

190

191

192

194

195

Oct. 14

From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to
the Chinese Legation

196

Chinese Government's instruction to deny reports of China's starting direct negotiations and to label such reports as Japanese propaganda.

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Summary of report from Colonel Margetts of the bombing of Chinchow by Japanese without warning and without resistance.

196

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