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 Dec. 9 (869)

Dec. 9 (643)

Dec. 10

Dec. 10 (871)

Dec. 10 (1065)

Dec. 10 (872)

Dec. 10 (873)

Subject

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Sweetser's report that public session of the Council went as planned, leaving only the question of police measures outstanding, the clause relating to it, however, to be settled in some form by Briand and Yoshizawa previous to tomorrow's program and adjournment.

To the Chargé in France (tel.)

For Dawes: Secretary's desire to issue a statement to give the public the impression of support to the League Council resolution, and suggestion that Dawes might make a similar statement in Paris.

Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic_Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Explanation by Dawes of his intention of making a statement after the Council meeting relative to the misunderstanding over the Chinchow zone, in the hope of soothing public opinion in Japan and China; Secretary's preference that statement be made by Briand. From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Information that he notified Briand that he would not make the statement (text printed) relative to the misunderstanding in regard to the Chinchow zone proposal. From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that the domestic crisis in China, and the loss of confidence in the League leave to the authorities in Peiping only two alternatives, either to fight or to yield to the Japanese demands regarding Chinchow.

Page

661

662

663

668

669

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

670

From Dawes: Transmittal of unilateral declaration to be made by the Japanese regarding bandits (text printed).

671

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Suggestion that his proposed statement regarding Chinchow might be the basis of a statement for later issuance by him or by the Secretary, as such an explanation offers the only chance of avoiding Japanese occupation of Chinchow.

Dec. 10 (874)

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

671

From Dawes: Transmittal of reply (text printed) to the Japanese unilateral declaration, as approved by the Twelve satisfying the juridical situation and removing the necessity for further discussion.

Dec. 10 (875)

672

Dec. 10 (D-160)

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

From Dawes: Information that in his acceptance of the resolution Sze made certain observations and reservations (text printed) relative to treaty rights, the commission, and police

measures.

From the Consul General at Nanking

Conversations with various Chinese leaders who feel that the United States tempered what otherwise might have been a severe condemnation of Japan by the League, and that the United States could have held Japan to her international obligations if it had desired.

673

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 Dec. 11 (876)

Dec. 11 (879)

Dec. 11 (1066)

Dec. 11 (1067)

Dec. 11 (648)

Subject

Page

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

674

From Dawes: Information of the unanimous adoption of the resolution.

From the Chargé in France (tel.)

674

From Dawes: Sweetser's report that Council has adjourned after 25 days of continuous conferences.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harbin: Report of a visit by the Japanese military to
General Ma, who was informed that no anti-Japanese move-
ments were to be allowed and that the Japanese had plans for
the thorough reconstruction of the northeast; agreement of
General Ma to the desirability of peaceful settlement.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from Mukden that the movement for an inde-
pendent Manchuria-Mongolia republic is gaining ground but,
without Japanese support, would collapse; opinion of Consul
General at Mukden that only foreign opposition or an early
conference between Japan and China can prevent its estab-
lishment.

To the Ambassador in France (tel.)

674

675

676

Instructions to convey to Briand the gratification of President Hoover and the Secretary for the successful termination of the negotiations.

Dec. 11 (1069)

Dec. 11

Dec. 11 (458)

Dec. 12 (259)

Dec. 12 (264)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From the Military Attaché at Chinchow: Information that Japanese aircraft dropped bombs on Panshan-Yingkou railway, and that Peiping-Mukden Railway is not on regular schedule.

Memorandum by the Secretary of State

Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador, who said that the resignation of the Japanese Cabinet was undoubtedly due to the Manchurian situation; inquiry as to the Ambassador's impressions on the Secretary's attitude toward the use of a boycott, and the Ambassador's statement that although he felt that the Secretary did not favor a boycott, he had never received any assurances to that effect.

To the Minister in China (tel.)

677

677

679

Instructions to inform the Military Attaché that his presence is still considered necessary at Chinchow.

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

679

Intentions to await the appointment of a new Foreign Minister before discussing Chinchow misunderstanding; opinion that Inukai will be asked to form a new Cabinet.

679

To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Instructions to discuss with Shidehara the misunderstanding over Chinchow unless it is deemed advisable to take it up only with Shidehara's successor.

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 Dec. 12 (135)

Dec. 13 (262)

Dec. 15 (315)

Dec. 15 (1081)

Dec. 15

Subject

To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

For the Minister: Opinion that the complications over the
establishing of the Chinchow zone offer no objection which
may not be worked out by negotiation; instructions to sound
out Koo in this connection and to urge restraint from military
activities, suggesting the possibility of some agreement.
From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Interview with Nagai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs,
who felt the Japanese had been treated curtly in the Chin-
chow proposal but did not indicate an early resumption of
hostilities; Ambassador's mention of interferences by the
Japanese military in civil concerns, and Nagai's request for a
list of the cases.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Conversation with Drummond concerning the arranging for the membership of the commission, which, according to the present program, will be comprised of one national each from Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and possibly from one smaller power; information that Walker D. Hines has been suggested as the American member, and request for Department's views.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that foreign military observers at Chinchow believe that Japan will find the means to compel Chinese troops to withdraw inside the Great Wall and Chinese regime at Chinchow to dissolve, and that only considerable pressure can prevent such action.

Page

679

681

682

683

From the Minister in China (tel.)

684

Advice that public opinion and the position of the Government make discussion of negotiation for an agreement concerning Chinchow inadvisable.

Dec. 15 (124)

From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

686

Dec. 16 (893)

Dec. 16 (1084)

Dec. 17 (135)

Account of student opposition manifested at a meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Nationalist Party at which Chiang Kai-shek had resigned all his posts and an Acting President had been appointed.

From the Ambassador in France (tel.)

Conversation with Briand, who expressed appreciation of the Secretary's cooperation throughout the negotiations and was of the opinion that the Chinchow situation had improved. From the Minister in China (tel.)

687

687

From Mukden: Information that the Chairman of the
Province has been released and installed as Governor; opinion
that this event foreshadows an early attack on Chinchow.
To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

688

Advice that there is no objection to Hines' appointment on the League Committee and that Hines is interested, but other work may prevent his acceptance.

[Footnote: Information that Hines subsequently declined the invitation.]

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 Dec. 17 (270)

Dec. 18 (423) Dec. 19 (1105)

Dec. 19

Dec. 19 (140)

Dec. 21

Dec. 21 (1113)

Dec. 21 (1114)

Dec. 21

Dec. 22 (205)

Subject

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Information that the Cabinet has approved the sending of additional troops to Manchuria and Tientsin, that the military feel much stronger since the Cabinet change, and that the General Staff views this move as a gesture to induce peaceable withdrawal of Chinese troops.

From the Ambassador in Japan

Page

688

689

Report on the autonomous power of the Japanese Army.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

695

From Mukden: Information of Japanese bombing of
Tungliao.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

695

Request for information for Koo concerning a Reuter report
that the United States has addressed a further note to Japan
expressing solicitude that Japan respect treaty obligations.
To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

For the Minister: Information that Department has made
no formal communications regarding Manchuria since De-
cember 10, and that Koo may be informed that the press
report is in error and that this Government's attitude is ex-
pressed in the Secretary's press statement of December 10.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that press statement of December 10 has been read to Koo; also that Koo has sent word of Japanese activity at Chinchow, inquiring if the United States can do anything to forestall an attack.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Report that first railway battalion was sent to clear out bandits in the Changtu, Faku region, and that an official reception was held in celebration of the formation of the Provincial Government.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From the Military Attaché at Chinchow: Report of inter-
view with General Honjo, who explained that he would at-
tack Chinchow because of the activities of irregular troops
and bandits; information that there is no evidence of unusual
activity of Chinese troops.

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs
of a Conversation With the Chinese Chargé
Information from the Chargé that an attack on Chinchow
is expected and that it would be necessary for China to fight;
his inquiry as to whether the United States could and would
protest.

From the Military Attaché in Japan to the Adjutant General,
United States Army

Announcement by Japanese headquarters of movements
on Chinchow to drive out bandits; opinion that the action
will result in Japanese occupation of the whole of Liaoning
Province.

696

696

697

697

698

699

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

Subject

Page

1931 Dec. 22

Dec. 22

Dec. 22 (131)

Dec. 23 (275)

Dec. 23 (275)

Dec. 23 (1125)

Dec. 23

Dec. 24 (1126)

Memorandum by the Secretary of State

Call by the French Ambassador, who conveyed the substance of a telegram from Briand relating to the possible attack on-Chinchow, and stating that directions had been sent to the French Ambassador in Tokyo to make representations to the Japanese without waiting for the representatives of the other powers.

Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Dawes' denial, in reply
to Secretary's inquiry, of a press story that he had secured
from Sze and given to the Japanese an assurance that the
Chinese garrison would withdraw from Chinchow area.
From the Consul General at Nanking_(tel.)

Information that Sun Fo is to be President of the Executive
Yuan and substantially Prime Minister but that it seems
certain that Chiang and Soong can take effective military
control over the Nanking-Shanghai area when desirous;
general consensus that no Central Government could survive
the popular opposition if Chinchow were surrendered without
resistance.

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Information of French Ambassador's representations to Tokyo in accordance with instructions, and of British Ambassador's similar instructions.

To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Transmittal of an editorial in the New York Herald-Tribune (excerpts printed) attributing certain action to Dawes, and instructions that, if necessary, the statements should be denied.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Dairen and Mukden: Report of Japanese military
movements, with indications that the drive westward is
imminent.

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs
Call of the new Chinese Minister to present his credentials;
his expression of great apprehension over the Chinchow
situation.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

700

701

701

702

703

704

704

705

From Mukden: Unofficial Japanese announcement of the capture of Faku and of other activities; advice that this is apparently the largest operation yet.

705

Dec. 24

Press Release Issued by the Department of State

Announcement of instructions to the American Ambassador in Tokyo to make representations in view of reports of the Japanese military's contemplated advance and to point out that the military observers find no evidence of a Chinese offensive.

Dec.[24?] From the Minister in China (tel.)

(1127)

Information from Tientsin of Japanese intentions to land troops there for precautionary purposes although there is no evidence to justify this action.

706