File No. 893.00/566.
The American Chargé d’Affaires at Tokyo to the Secretary of State.
Tokyo, October 15, 1911.
The Japanese Government expects to be asked by the Chinese Government to put down the rebellion by force in case it becomes more serious. Japan will refuse to take any action whatever unless Japanese interests are seriously menaced. Disorders will be allowed to continue indefinitely unless the powers urge Japan to act. Japanese Government will then be ready to take speedy and efficient action, which Russia will not oppose.
This relates only to China proper. If the rebellion becomes serious in Manchuria, Japan and Russia will send troops at once without consulting the powers. Twenty thousand Japanese soldiers can reach Peking before any other powers could have a man there. Five thousand British troops at Hongkong are unable to leave through fear of Canton.
I have urged upon Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs that Japan take no action without previously consulting the United States Government. He promised to let me know before anything is done, and added that Japan and the United States were the only powers in a position to act promptly.
Japan will, I believe act independently of other countries; whatever she does will be with a view to making herself indispensable to the future government of China.