793.94/1672: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—9:40 a.m.]
84. Recent press reports to the effect that Japan was increasing its troops in Manchuria and was about to take drastic steps in that region and was moreover about to occupy Shantung permanently led me to discuss the situation at the Foreign Office.
The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs told me today that there were no new developments in Japanese policy in Manchuria; that Japan had no intention of seeking new or special privileges in that region beyond the rights already guaranteed to them by treaty; that of course the situation was somewhat uncertain at the moment but that there was no truth in rumors in regard to increased Japanese governmental activity there.
In regard to Shantung he stated that the Japanese attitude had not changed; that there was nobody with whom to negotiate and that meanwhile the Japanese felt that they had to maintain a sufficient force there to prevent disturbances; but Japan have [has] no intention whatever of attempting to alter the status of Shantung and the railway as fixed by agreement reached at Washington at the time of the Conference.