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

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1931 Nov. 19 Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Discussion of Dawes' sitting on the Council and a possible statement concerning U. S. position in regard to League action; Secretary's desire that Dawes not be present for discussion of sanctions although United States probably would not interfere with an embargo, and his opinion that the most the United States can do is denounce Japan's action and refuse to recognize treaties

created under military force. Nov. 19 To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) (235) Instructions to report on the stability of the existing author

ities and the report of plots against Shidehara and others. Nov. 19 Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Information for Dawes that record instructions have been cabled, that if the League goes ahead, the U. S. position will be made clear immediately after; Dawes' information that Japanese Government have

consented to a commission. Nov. 19 From the Minister in China (tel.)

Opinion that no further investigation at Tientsin is

necessary.
Nov. 19 To the Minister in China (tel.)
(426) Information that the Department has made no commit-

ments such as might be inferred from the New York Herald-
Tribune article.

the Chargé (.) ()

requested in telegram No. 750, November 16) pointing out
that even if the parties agreed on the first three points, effective
protection is not covered, and it is doubtful that Japan would

agree to and carry out point 4.
Nov. 19 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(575) For Dawes: Brief statement of U. S. position regarding

Dawes' mission to Paris, for his use if he deems it advisable

in explaining his position to Briand. Nov. 19 To the Chargé in France (tel.) (576) For Dawes: Transmittal of a statement outlining U. S.

position (text printed) to be given to the press if considered

advisable. Nov, 20 From the Minister in China (tel.) (970) From Mukden: Release by Japanese headquarters of news

that Japanese have entered Tsitsihar, Nov. 20 From the Minister in China (tel.)

Identic telegram (text printed) being sent by U.S., British,
French, and German Ministers advising of resolution by the
Party Congress authorizing Chiang Kai-shek to proceed to
the North as commander in chief to watch events.

503

N957419 Tortor Sanwes mobservations on the Simon memorandum (as

504

505

506

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1931 Nov. 20 Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Secretary's reiteration that United States will offer no obstacles to sanctions; his opinion that if League orders an investigation, it would be better for United States not to participate; and his assertion that so long as the League is meeting, the United States will not invoke the Nine-Power Pact, but in case of League failure,

the United States would consider it. Nov. 20 From the Minister in China (tel.) (972) From Harbin: Information from Ohashi of efforts to protect

Chinese Eastern Railway property.
Nov. 20 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(771) From Dawes: Conversation with Briand, the latter being

informed of the U. S. position, in accordance with Department's
telegram No. 575, November 19, and the value of the con-

ference method over attendance at League Council meetings.
Nov. 20 From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)
(229) Information on the reported plot against Shidehara and

others, and rumors concerning a possible change in the

Government.
Nov. 20 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(584) For Dawes: Advice that, in event of materialization of an

agreement by China and Japan on a commission of neutral
investigators, United States would withdraw its objection to

having a representative on the commission.
Nov. 21 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(774) From Dawes: Information that Sze will propose a neutral

and nonpartisan commission, Nov. 21 Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Explanation by the Secretary of his information to the Japanese that, in view of their apparent treaty violations, he must now reserve the right to make public U. S.-Japanese correspondence on the subject, and of Japanese verbal assurances of a proposal soon to cover withdrawal; Dawes' desire that Sze know of Japanese assurances in order to obviate too strong a statement from the

Chinese.
Nov. 21 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(586) For Dawes: Reminder, in connection with certain state-

ments by Yoshizawa, that Secretary Hughes in 1922 appeared
neither to have recognized nor denied the 1915 treaties be-
tween Japan and China, but reaffirmed U.S. reservations made

in 1915.
Nov. 21 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(773) From Dawes: Transmittal of Sweetser's report (text

printed) of discussions at private Council meeting concerning

a commission.
Nov, 21 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(776) From Dawes: Yoshizawa's proposal, at public meeting of the

Council, of a commission of inquiry; Chinese concurrence in
the commission provided that it not furnish an excuse for
delay in withdrawal of Japanese_troops.

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1931 Nov. 22

527

529

Nov. 22

(777)

530

Nov. 22

(980)

531

Nov. 22

(983)

531

(22?] (985)

532

Nov. 22

(778)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Conversation with Koo, who outlined a resolution before
the Council for dealing with the Manchurian controversy and
stated why it was unacceptable to China; his submittal of a
counterproposal, with the desire to be informed of Washing-
ton's attitude and suggestions concerning it.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Report giving the form of the proposal for an
inquiry commission and Sweetser's explanation (texts printed).
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Report of northward movement of Chinese
troops, of possible Japanese attack on Chinchow, and of
return of Pu-yi to Dairen.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Report of dispatch of British and French observers to
Manchuria; Minister's desire that American Military Attaché
proceed to Chinchow in view of expected action there.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Shanghai: Tense situation in the International Set-
tlement.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Information through Sze that public senti-
ment in China may necessitate a further statement of Chinese
attitude which will break up current negotiations; that China
is beginning to feel that present League action may force it
to act.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from Koo that Foreign Affairs Commission has
agreed upon Chinese draft of resolution and that it will be
accompanied by an introductory statement (text printed) ex-
plaining China's offer of this counterproposal.
Memorandum by the Secretary of State

Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador, who was
informed of Secretary's opinion that the neutral commission
proposed by Japan would be futile without provision for a
cessation of hostilities, that Japan's offensive defense was
unnecessary, and that an attack on Chinchow would be re-
garded as an aggressive act.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Information that Simon and Drummond
have prepared a new draft of the resolution (text printed), and
as they realize that attitude of United States is what influences
Japan and China most, have inquired if United States might
consider suggesting this tentative declaration to both parties.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Changes in Council's tentative draft.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Memorandum circulated by Sze (text
printed) stating that inquiry without provisions for cessation
of hostilities and Japanese withdrawal would prolong Japanese
occupation and cannot be considered,

Nov. 22

533

Nov. 22

534

535

Nov. 22

(779)

537

Nov. 22

(780) Nov. 23

(781)

538

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1931 Nov. 23

(782)

539

540

Nov. 23

(783)

541

Nov. 23

(986)

541

Nov. 23

(430)

541

Nov. 23

(990)

Nov. 23

542

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Sweetser's comments upon draft approved by
Simon, Drummond, and Briand for submission to the Council
members exclusive of China and Japan.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Chinese Government's request, through Sze,
for Department's comments on the Chinese suggested counter-
proposal (reported to Department by the Minister in China,
November 22).
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Return of Captain Tenney from Harbin and departure of
Colonel Margetts for Chinchow.
To the Minister in China (tel.)

Approval of suggestion to send the Military Attaché to
Chinchow in regular course.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Report from Mukden of Japanese issuance of a statement
that seizure of foreign property by the Japanese military is to
prevent unlawful seizure by Chang Hsueh-liang, former Chinese
officials, or bandits.
Memorandum by the Secretary of State

Call by the French Ambassador, who translated a telegram
from the French Foreign Office indicating Briand's desire that
U. S. observers might be sent to Chinchow, along with the
British and French; Ambassador's explanation that the French
idea was to observe the respective merits of the two sides.
Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Secretary's advice that
he is transmitting a message for communication to Sze and that
Briand and others may be informed later; his approval of the
resolution in its present form, but desire that the resolution be
made public before U. S. attitude is given out.
From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Sweetser's account of private Council meeting
in which draft resolution was discussed and changes were rec-
ommended; Briand's explanation that the draft would be pre-
sented to the Chinese and Japanese as a plan not yet approved
and open to amendment.
To the Chargé in France (tel.)

For Dawes: Views to be communicated to Sze: (1) approval
of the resolution before the Council; (2) opinion that Chinese
counterproposal does not appear to be as effective and, further-
more, contains some impracticable provisions.
To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

For the Minister: Transmittal of text of the telegram supra,
with instructions to communicate its substance to the Chinese
Government.

Nov. 23

543

545

Nov. 23

(784)

547

Nov. 23

(589)

Nov. 23

(119)

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1931
Nov. 23 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(593) For Dawes: Suggestion that if Chinese are not inclined to

approve the draft resolution in its present form, Briand might
insist on Japanese evacuation of Tsitsihar; advice that Depart-
ment is cabling Embassy in Tokyo to urge immediate with-
drawal and to warn that an expedition against Chinchow

would render useless further conciliation efforts.
Nov. 23 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(790) From Dawes: Changes in draft resolution made at a private

Council meeting; information that Sze has agreed to communi-
cate the revised form to his Government but has no hope of its

acceptance.
Nov. 24 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(791) From Dawes: Sweetser's comments on the League meeting in

which draft resolution was amended in the light of earlier sug-
gestions but was not formally presented to the Japanese in

view of uncertainty of Chinese acceptance.
Nov. 24 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(994) From Tientsin: Report that local American officials are

confining their activities to protection of American interests.
Nov, 24 From the Chargé in France (lel.)
(792) From Dawes: Transmittal of Sze's telegram to his Govern-

ment (excerpt printed) giving Department's attitude toward
the draft resolution; Dawes suggestions to Briand that U. S.
attitude will not be revealed prior to publication of the resolu-

tion.
Nov. 24 From the Chargé in France (tel.)
(794) From Dawes: Sze's receipt from his Government of its

minimum conditions: (1) immediate cessation of hostilities,
(2) Japanese withdrawal of troops within a definite and short
period, and (3) supervision by inquiry commission or by

neutral observers of the evacuation. Nov. 24 From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Sweetser's report on League activities:Japanese denial of intentions to attack Chinchow; discussion of the draft resolution; suggestion from Briand that it would be

helpful to have an expression of American views. Nov. 24 From the Minister in China (tel.)

Inquiry by Koo as to attitude of British, French, and American Governments toward a possible formal proposal that China will withdraw troops from the Chinchow area provided Japanese give certain guarantees satisfactory to Great

Britain, France, and United States. Nov, 24 To the Chargé in France (tel.) (592) For Dawes: Information that Tokyo has issued orders

556

556

(795)

558

559