File No. 862a.01/7
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Morris)
The American Minister at Peking on November 20 mailed to the Department copies of protests1 made by the provincial assemblies of Shantung and Chihli against the establishment by Japan of civil government at Tsingtao and at places in Shantung which are outside the Leased Territory of Kiaochow. The Vice Minister of Foreign [Page 222] Affairs informed the Legation that the measure had been proposed and was under discussion. Minister Reinsch adds that he has reliable information of the establishment already of such Japanese authorities. In view of the declaration made to this Government in the note of Viscount Ishii on November 2 of Japan’s intentions to respect China’s sovereignty and independence the Department is loath to believe that such aggression upon China’s sovereignty has taken place. Please ascertain and telegraph the facts.
- Not printed.↩