793.94/2922
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
I sent for the Japanese Ambassador to come to my house. When he called I impressed upon him two points. I first told him that the proposed neutral commission for investigation which Japan had suggested, and which the Council of the League of Nations was now discussing, would be futile without provision for a cessation of hostilities. I told him I had been thinking over and studying myself possible provisions for such a cessation of hostilities which would yet leave sufficient flexibility of action of Japanese commanders so that they would be able to protect their nationals against bandit activities and I was satisfied that a provision could be drawn. I said that I had drafted one for practice, but I did not care to suggest any to anybody as the negotiations were now going on in Paris. I told him further that the recent activities of the Japanese troops had demonstrated that no Japanese commander in Manchuria, of no matter how small a garrison, had any reason for apprehension of a successful attack against him by any of the Chinese troops; that the Chinese troops had demonstrated their inferiority in combat with even the smallest Japanese forces; that under these circumstances there was no need whatever for the offensive defense upon which the Japanese claimed to rely, and there could be no excuse which would justify a Japanese force in making an offensive attack upon any Chinese troops in Manchuria—they could quite safely await an attack by such Chinese forces. He acquiesced in what I said, pointing out that at Tsitsihar apparently less than 2,000 Japanese troops had been sufficient to destroy an army of 30,000 Chinese.
In the second place, I said that under these circumstances if an attack was made by the Japanese forces upon Chinchow there could [Page 535] be no justification or excuse for it, and it would have to be regarded as an aggressive act. I said I had read press statements indicating that such an attack might be in contemplation and I was very apprehensive about it; that if it took place, I should regard it as rendering futile any further efforts at conciliation. He told me he would at once send my views to Baron Shidehara.