Office of the Historian

793.94/3150: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State

Paris, December 10, 1931—6 p.m.
[Received December 10—2:45 p.m.72]

872. From Ambassador Dawes: Following is text of unilateral declaration regarding bandits to be made by Japanese representative at this afternoon’s public meeting of Council. This of course is in lieu of corresponding provision in Briand’s declaration:

“With regard to paragraph 2 of the draft resolution now before the Council I am happy to accept it on behalf of the Japanese Government on the understanding that this paragraph is not intended to preclude the Japanese forces from taking such action as may be rendered necessary to provide directly for the protection of the lives and property of Japanese subjects against the activities of bandits and lawless elements rampant in various parts of Manchuria. Such action is admittedly an exceptional measure called for by the special situation prevailing in Manchuria, and its necessity will naturally be obviated when normal conditions shall have been restored in that region.”

  • [Dawes]
  • Shaw
  1. Telegram in two sections.↩