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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. 31 (270)

Oct. 31 (60)

Subject

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Note from the President of the Council to Yoshizawa (text printed) in reply to Japanese declaration of October 26, indicating confidence that as China has given pledges covering the various fundamental principles raised by Japan, the latter will proceed with the withdrawal of troops and the appointment of representatives to carry out details of the evacuation. To the Ambassador in Peru (tel.)

Page

345

347

Advice that the Department prefers to refrain from commitment on the appointment of observers until action has been taken by League members.

Oct. 31 (124)

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

347

Information that British Minister in China has instructions to hold representatives in readiness to proceed to Manchuria as observers, and instructions to inform Department of further action by that or other governments.

Nov. 1 (849)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

348

From Mukden: Removal by Japanese armed guard of Salt
Administration funds from Bank of China to the Provincial
Bank, Newchwang.

Nov. 1 (271)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

348

Letter from Sze to Drummond (substance printed) citing Chinese concern over Japanese efforts to incite so-called independence movements in Manchuria.

Nov. 1 (11)

Nov. 2

From the Ambassador in Turkey (tel.)

349

Information that on October 21 the Turkish Government sent identic telegrams invoking the Kellogg Pact.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

349

Nov. 2 (273)

Nov. 2 (859)

Nov. 2 (92)

Request from the Acting Foreign Minister that U. S. representatives be designated in accordance with League resolution.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Drummond's receipt of a communication stating that Chinese were dispatching troops to occupy evacuated areas and neutral observers were considered essential; Drummond's reply that October 24 resolution is not binding, as it was not passed unanimously, and Chinese should proceed with prudence.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Suggestion by Wellington Koo that should the United States contemplate action similar to the British, early announcement of such decision would be helpful.

From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Announcement by the Foreign Ministry of a Commission, with Wellington Koo as Chairman, to negotiate in connection with the reoccupation of Manchuria, as provided by League resolution of October 24; Chinese desire to know if United States intends to appoint observers.

350

350

351

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 Nov. 2

Nov. 2 (274)

Nov. 2

Nov. 3 (93)

Nov. 3 (276)

Nov. 3

Nov. 3 (862)

Nov. 3 (863)

Subject

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State

Inquiry from British Ambassador as to U. S. approval of League action; Under Secretary's concurrence with Ambassador's observation that including the date of withdrawal in the resolution was unfortunate.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Conversation with Drummond, who reviewed the situation in the light of the lack of juridical force of October 24 resolution, and observed that if the United States could induce Japan to agree to the conversations concerning evacuation, it would be helpful.

Memorandum by the Minister in China

Conversation with Dr. C. C. Wu, who outlined developments in negotiations between Nanking and Cantonese delegates; Minister's assurances that U. S. policy was one of non-interference in domestic questions.

From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Inquiry by the Acting Foreign Minister as to accuracy of remarks attributed to the Under Secretary concerning permanent Japanese occupation of Manchuria and disapproval of League resolution.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Conversation between Drummond and Sze, the latter presenting note from Chinese Government and accompanying memorandum (texts printed) outlining Japanese actions not in accord with their pledges.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Request by T. V. Soong that Department influence the
Council to meet in Geneva instead of in Paris, as traditional
French policy toward China has been contrary to Briand's at-
titude at Geneva.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Report from Mukden that Antung electric plant remains closed, preventing American company's collection of monthly payments on equipment supplied; explanation of Japanese military that their action was and is a military necessity.

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From the Minister in China (tel.)

362

Report of closing of other Chinese electric plants in Manchuria, with the indication that Japanese plan a monopoly of electric power.

Nov. 3 (106)

To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

362

Clarification of Under Secretary's remarks, in reply to inquiry in telegram No. 93, November 3.

Nov. 4 (867)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

363

From Harbin and from Mukden: Report of military activities around Tsitsihar and ultimatum to Chinese to withdraw from Nonni River.

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 Nov. 4 (868)

Nov. 4

Nov. 4 (870)

Nov. 4 (204)

Subject

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Report from Japanese military that radio station has been restored to working order and Japanese Consulate General will be advised of particulars regarding operation.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking: Note from the Acting Foreign Minister to the American Minister (text printed) advising of the organization of a commission for the evacuation, and inviting the U. S. Government to appoint its representatives.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harbin: Report of Japanese intentions to repair bridges on the Nonni River, and of Chinese intentions to prevent clashes between Japanese and Chinese troops if possible.

From the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Advice from Vice Foreign Minister that his Government is preparing a statement for the League Council meeting, November 16. Opinion that United States should not associate itself with League resolution, as Japanese public believes other powers put through the resolution with the intent to damage Japan's interests in China.

Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the Japanese Ambassador, November 4, 1931

Advice by the Secretary that United States is making representations to Tokyo regarding Japan's refusal to evacuate until she has concluded negotiations on long-standing controversies, many of them unrelated to present situation in Manchuria. Ambassador's version of Japanese occupation of Tsitsihar.

Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the French Ambassador, November 4, 1931

Nov. 4 (218)

Nov. 5 (873)

Presentation to the French Ambassador of an aide-mémoire (text printed) of U. S. representations to Japan, showing U. S. concurrence in Council action and pointing out that negotiations brought about by military pressure are treaty violations; suggestion that, if necessary, Briand might suggest the use of neutral observers in negotiations as compromise

measure.

To the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Instructions that Department's representations should be delivered as soon as possible, not as a note, but as a memorandum, and should be read to the Foreign Minister prior to being handed to him.

Page

364

364

365

366

367

368

371

From the Minister in China (tel.)

371

From Harbin: Lack of evidence of Russian aid to Chinese at Tsitsihar, and opinion that reports of such aid are Japanese propaganda; information of clashes near Tsitsihar.

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

Nov. 5 (278)

Undated (Rec'd Nov. 5) (99)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Communication from Sawada to Drummond (text printed) citing Chinese request to Japan for settlement of details of evacuation in accordance with resolution of October 24, and Japanese reply that the resolution was not adopted, but that Japan is ready to negotiate an agreement on fundamental principles and on the withdrawal of troops.

From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

Statement by the Foreign Office of Chinese reply (text printed) to Japanese note of October 31, inviting Japan to nominate representatives for the evacuation commission and indicating willingness to negotiate on questions of fundamental principles, but reiterating that before the completion of evacuation, negotiations must concern only evacuation and reoccupation.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

372

373

Nov. 5 (279)

373

Communication from Sze to Drummond enclosing cablegram from Nanking (texts printed) concerning Japanese seizure of salt revenue.

Nov. 5 (206)

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

375

Notification of delivery of Department's memorandum to the Foreign Office.

375

Undated Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan of a Conversation With the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, November 5, 1931

Delivery to Shidehara of the memorandum of November 3; Shidehara's résumé of Japan's attitude toward China and of the five points which Japan insisted should be settled before withdrawal of troops.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Nov. 5 (874)

380

Opinion of Dr. Wellington Koo that his commission is acceptable to Japan, and his intimation that it might have to deal with problems more serious than those for which it was appointed.

380

Nov. 5 (280)

Nov. 5 (126)

Nov. 5 (409)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Information that Briand has given publicity to his note to Yoshizawa (contained in telegram No. 270, October 31, from the Consul at Geneva) in view of Japanese delay in replying.

To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Transmittal of Department's memorandum of November 3 to Japan and of background explanation, with instructions to inform Drummond; suggestion that Drummond inform Council members only that United States has made representations supporting Council's position relative to evacuation.

To the Minister in China (tel.)

Instructions to inform Acting Foreign Minister, if necessary, that Department is noncommittal on the question of observers and prefers not to initiate action; information that Chinese have been advised by League officials to exercise prudence, as October 24 resolution lacks binding force.

381

382

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 Nov. 5 (410)

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To the Minister in China (tel.)

382

Instructions to secure from Mukden the particulars concerning the plan for operation of the radio.

Nov. 6 (877)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

382

From Harbin: Report of Japanese crossing of Nonni River and ensuing clash with Tsitsihar troops.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

383

Nov. 6 (878)

Nov. 6 (282)

From Mukden: Message released by Japanese headquarters (substance printed) regarding the fighting at Nonni River.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Receipt from Drummond of copy of a memorandum by the
Chinese Government (substance printed) in reply to Japanese
declaration of October 26, reiterating Chinese ability to pro-
tect Japanese nationals in proportion as the evacuation is
effected, and suggesting settlement of other questions by con-
ciliation.

Undated Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State of a Conversation
With the Japanese Ambassador, November 6, 1931
Explanation by the Ambassador of the fighting on the
Nonni River and assurance that Japan has no intention of
sending troops to Tsitsihar, as it desires no conflict with the
Soviet.

Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With

the French Ambassador, November 6, 1931

Inquiry by the Ambassador as to the outcome of U. S.
representations to Tokyo, his concern over the increasing
strength of the military, and observation by the Secretary
that the other nations should preserve a united front.
From the French Embassy

384

385

385

Nov. 6

386

Information from Paris that, in compliance with October 24 resolution, the French Minister in China has been instructed to inform Chinese Government of readiness of French representatives when their presence is required.

Nov. 6 (284)

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

387

Nov. 7 (285)

Nov. 7 (883)

Information that Drummond has received a note from Sze commenting on Japanese reply to identic telegrams sent from Geneva invoking the Kellogg Pact.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Report of informing Drummond of Department's representations to Japan and of his satisfaction; Drummond's observations concerning pro-Japanese feeling in France and fear that Briand is not receiving accurate information as to Department's position; suggestion that clarification of the American position for London and Paris through the Embassies might be considered.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

387

390

From Mukden: Further report of engagement at Nonni
River.

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