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. 14 (309) Nov. 14 (547) Nov. 14 (418) Nov. 14 (939) Subject From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Removal to Paris of the portion of the Secretariat staff concerned with the Sino-Japanese question. Conversation with Drummond, who sees Japanese position as unchanged in spite of optimistic press reports. To the Chargé in France (tel.) For Dawes: Approval of Dawes' mention of Nine-Power Treaty, as it represents traditional U. S. policy toward China; opinion that this treaty renounces any claim by Japan to "special rights" in Manchuria. To the Minister in China (tel.) Reminder that U. S. Government was not a party to the note of July 15, 1902, and inquiry as to whether there are any instances on record of American consular officials at Tientsin having joined with others in invoking the note. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Mukden: Minor clash on Nonni-Angangki front; Page 440 441 442 443 Nov. 14 (229) To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) 443 Concurrence of War and State Departments in the sending of Colonel McIlroy to Manchuria provided attachés of two other leading powers are sent; instructions that the mission should be considered nonpolitical. Nov. 14 (740) From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Conversation with Briand, who brought up the question of Dawes' sitting on the Council and the implications resulting from non-attendance. Dawes' suggestion that after several meetings the United States might accept an invitation to discuss matters involving American treaty rights and cooperation in the Kellogg Pact. Request for Department's comments on this suggestion. 444 From Harbin: Information that General Ma has defied Japanese ultimatum and that Chinese fear an attempt to shatter his forces before November 16. Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State of a Conversation With the Japanese Ambassador Information from the Japanese Ambassador that Matsudaira will be in Paris for conferences during the Council session; that the position of the Wakatsuki Cabinet in Tokyo is very dangerous; that unless General Ma's forces attack the Japanese contingent at the Nonni River bridge, there is no danger of further Japanese advance. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Harbin: Information from Secretary Chao of telegrams from General Ma (texts printed) stating Japanese intentions of occupying Taoang Railway to main Tsitsihar Station, and describing an encounter near Sanchienfang. 445 446 447 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. 15 (741) Nov. 15 Subject From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Conversation with Sze concerning the possibility of settling the questions of evacuation and of protection of Japanese nationals without bringing up the Japanese fifth point. From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.) Page 448 449 Report that situation is not so good, as normal measures for settlement of trouble are not being employed. 450 Nov. 15 (742) Nov. 16 (944) Nov. 16 (219) Nov. 16 From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Conversation with Matsudaira, who expressed the fear that with the increasingly dangerous state of Japanese public opinion, his Government might not favor his recommendations to moderate the Japanese position. From the Minister in China (tel.) General report of the situation, with the observation that there is no evidence of Japanese intentions to withdraw, and that if the League can do nothing, the people will take matters into their own hands. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Report that judgment of foreign diplomats in Tokyo recom- Between the Secretary and Dawes: Authorization by the 451 452 452 Nov. 16 (551) To the Chargé in France (tel.) 456 For Dawes: Instructions to make no comment whatever in case Japanese bring up protocols attached to the Sino-Japanese treaty relating to Manchuria. For Dawes: Reminder that in the Shantung negotiations it was China and Japan, not the other powers, who chose the neutral observers. From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Drummond's indication that it is the general feeling of the Council that disputants should agree on two committees, one to consider Japanese safety and evacuation of Japanese troops, and the other the five points of Japan. From the Minister in China (tel.) 457 459 From Harbin: Report by Captain Tenney that there were no signs of Soviet activities near Manchouli and Hailar. 459 From the Minister in China (tel.) Rumors in Nanking that the United States, by not sending an observer to the Paris meeting, is making a concession to Japan. Intimation by Wellington Koo that Chinese are prepared to start direct discussions under League auspices or with observers appointed by the League. 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. 16 (750) Nov. 16 (751) Nov. 17 (950) Nov. 17 (112) Nov. 17 (952) Nov. 17 (113) Subject From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Conversation with Simon, who submitted a memorandum of personal and tentative suggestions to meet Japan's demands concerning treaty rights and railways; Dawes' reminder that China protested the 1915 treaties and that the United States went on record against the recognition of any treaties impairing open-door rights and the integrity of China. Request for observations on the Simon memorandum. From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Receipt from Drummond of communication from the Chinese (text printed) outlining situation at Nonni Bridge and stating that Japanese intend to occupy Tsitsihar. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Harbin: Report that Japanese have been informed that the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Tsitsihar as demanded in their ultimatum rests with the Heilungkiang Province authorities. To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) Information for the Minister that Department has brought up the method of the Shantung negotiations several times, but does not wish the suggestion to emanate from the United States; that no sort of rapprochement has been created between the United States and Japan. From the Minister in China (tel.) Page 460 462 463 464 465 From Harbin: Report of General Ma's determination to resist and of Japanese reverses at Nonni River. To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) 466 Advice for the Minister that the Department prefers not to make any further statement regarding an investigation at Tsitsihar, and is awaiting telegraphic report from Tientsin before replying to Chiang Kai-shek's request for investigation there. 466 For Dawes: Information that Department did not make certain commitments printed in the New York Herald-Tribune. From the Chargé in France (tel.) 467 Nov. 17 (559) Nov. 17 (756) Nov. 17 (757) Nov. 17 (758) To the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Information of private meeting of the Council at which it was decided that Briand should approach the Japanese on the precise importance of their fifth point and which treaties they consider pertinent. From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Résumé of conversations with Sze, Drummond, and Matsudaira; memorandum of a 3-point proposal presented by Matsudaira (text printed). Opinion that the role of Nine-Power Treaty in the settlement looms larger. From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Receipt of résumé by Simon (text printed) of Manchurian situation as he sees it, suggesting that Japan might agree to withdraw upon China's agreement to adjust the railway trouble and to assure the League of protection to Japanese interests. 467 469 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. 17 (560) Nov. 18 (953) Nov. 18 (954) To the Chargé in France (tel.) Subject For Dawes: Advice that Department objects to Simon's suggestion in that it yields to Japan permission to extort by force a ratification of treaty rights, and that the United States is not weakening in its position. From the Minister in China (tel.) From the Minister in China (tel.) Page 470 471 Inquiry concerning Reuter report of New York Herald- 472 Mandate issued by National Government (text printed) declaring null and void all agreements pertaining to property made with foreigners without the authorization of the Central Government. 472 Nov. 18 (955) Nov. 18 (222) Nov. 18 (956) Nov. 18 (565) Nov. 18 (223) Nov. 18 (959) Nov. 18 (425) From the Minister in China (tel.) Acceptance by National Government of General Wan Fu-lin's resignation as Chairman of Heilungkiang, and appointment of General Ma. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Report that General Staff is considering dispatch of an additional division to Manchuria, and that three more air squadrons have been sent. 472 From the Minister in China (tel.) 473 Japanese attack on General Ma's forces with six bombing planes. To the Chargé in France (tel.) 473 For Dawes: Opinion that if China and Japan could agree as to what treaties are valid, Simon's suggestion would be helpful. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) 474 Tense situation in Tokyo and possibility of a Cabinet change. From the Minister in China (tel.) 475 From Mukden: Report of Japanese offensive on Nonni front. 475 Nov. 18 (224) Nov. 18 Advice that the Consulate General at Mukden should not undertake to furnish Japanese with information concerning the operation of the radio station, but that if Radio Corporation considers it desirable to furnish such information to the Japanese, it should first contact the organization with which it concluded the traffic agreement. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Information from the Foreign Minister that General Ma was understood to have agreed to Japanese proposal that he withdraw so as not to impede railroad operation, but that he had attacked instead. Foreign Minister's denial that Japanese expect to make Pu-yi emperor of Manchuria. Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State Under Secretary's denial, upon inquiry by British Am- 587122-46—VOL. III 476 477 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. 18 (569) Nov. 18 (762) Nov. 18 (571) To the Chargé in France (tel.) Subject For Dawes: Opinion that Matsudaira's proposal should be rejected, and reasons therefor; fear that the only hope for settlement is to make public the whole case against Japan. From the Chargé in France (tel.) From Dawes: Report that he has made clear to the Japanese the position of the United States, that Japanese delegation have not heard from Tokyo on their 3-point proposal but are now asking for authority to withdraw point 1 and to submit only point 2 to the League. Matsudaira's statement concerning alarming internal situation in Japan. To the Chargé in France (tel.) For Dawes: Transmittal of statement to the press (text printed) denying current press reports and declaring U. S. position as unchanged. Page 477 478 480 Nov. 18 (763) From the Chargé in France (tel.) 480 From Dawes: Report of presentation at private Council meeting of informal suggestions made by Yoshizawa. Nov. 18 (764) From the Chargé in France (tel.) 481 From Dawes: Private Council meeting at which Yoshizawa was questioned at length, and his assertions that Japan must have an agreement before withdrawal, and a new treaty reaffirming old treaties. Nov. 18 (765) From the Chargé in France (tel.) 484 Nov. 19 From Dawes: Simon's inquiry whether the United States Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs Inquiry by Dr. Yen concerning the attitude of the United 485 Nov. 19 From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the 486 Japanese offensive against General Ma's troops and Japanese determination to seize Tsitsihar. Nov. 19 From the Minister in China (tel.) 486 Receipt of manifesto from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (text printed) reiterating China's intention not to recognize any institutions established under Japanese occupation. Nov. 19 (963) From the Minister in China (tel.) 487 From Harbin: Report of attack on General Ma at Tsitsihar; information that Kirin Government has been set up at Pinhsien, subordinate to Central Government. |