Office of the Historian

793.94/5476: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, August 9, 1932—6 p.m.
[Received August 9—7:37 a.m.]

923. Your 243, August 6, 4 p.m., and 244, August 8, 1 p.m.

1.
I called [on] French Minister and representatives British and Italian Legations in the absence of British and Italian Ministers and gave them copies points (a) to (f) inclusive. They are communicating this to their Governments. Stirling, British Legation, informed us that British Embassy, Tokyo, had commented on last sentence of paragraph 3 of my 894, August 3, 8 p.m., to the effect that Japanese would be unwilling to withdraw.
2.
In view of this comment our suggestion would be that our several Governments in making representations [to] Tokyo leave paragraph (f) out of formal representations and use it only in connection with discussions with the Japanese.
3.
With reference to paragraph 4, Department’s 241, August 6, 2 p.m., we are agreed that it will be difficult to reach an understanding with the Japanese Legation here on this subject for the reason that Japanese guard appears to be functioning under orders from military and not subject to control or direction by civil authorities.
4.
We all discussed suggestion in my 905, August 6, 11 a.m., as a program that might be followed prior to actual development of hostilities in this area in the hope that our several Governments might in Tokyo prepare the way for dealing with this problem.
5.
Department must remember that there is no one at the head of the Japanese Legation here now who exercises much authority, Yano having gone south. French Minister told us that he tried to get information the other day from Japanese Legation but had great difficulty finding anyone there who could say anything.
6.
We intend to continue to meet and discuss this and other questions. There are no obstacles except that Wilden and I are only chiefs of mission for the moment present in Peiping.

Code text to Tokyo by mail.

Johnson