793.94/3658: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27—9:05 a.m.]
131. 1. Department’s January 25, 6 p.m. to Shanghai. With reference to paragraph 2, Legation believes consideration should be given to the fact that it would be extremely embarrassing for us if the Japanese should push action in Shanghai to point where insistence upon rights and responsibilities of Consular Body and Municipal Council at Shanghai in the field of administration might involve American volunteers firing on Chinese for protection of Japanese or in furtherance of Japanese policy or firing on Japanese in furtherance of Chinese interests. In view of the fact that we have made it clear on numerous [Page 76] occasions that we do not propose to use force to maintain administrative integrity of the International Settlement of Shanghai and in view of the progress made in the negotiations between British and Chinese and in prospect between ourselves and Chinese for possible rendition of International Settlement, it seems to me that we must act carefully in the present situation lest we find ourselves fighting in Shanghai for the preservation of the integrity of the International Settlement in a quarrel that is distinctly one between Japan and China and which should not involve us. I feel that the powers should call upon Japan to control her citizens within the International Settlement and thus fulfill her obligations there.
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