793.94/3653: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27—8:30 a.m.]
25. Embassy’s 21, January 22, 6 p.m. Japanese Navy has sent one destroyer squadron consisting of cruiser and 12 destroyers to Shanghai [Page 78] from Sasebo in addition to those reported. It will carry a landing force of 400 to 500 men and should arrive 28th.
The Government here seems to have no definite plan of action beyond meeting the situation as it develops. They hope to keep it on the basis of a local affair. They regard the situation with some apprehension as they feel that the anti-Japanese agitation has at least the tacit approval of the local authorities in the Shanghai region.
Repeated to Peiping.