893.00/3416: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Crane ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—11:56 p.m.]
197. Your 183, July 20th, 5 p.m. Understand that British section not taken over by Japanese. During World War, however, Japanese have had French section which has only just now been taken over again by French. Japanese Legation today through Reuter’s Agency issues strong denial of report printed in Tientsin Times to the effect that Japanese post at Yangtsun interfered with military. Legation states it was impossible for handful Japanese troops stationed there to affect fighting and concludes that reported complaint of Tsao Ying [Tsao Kun?], commander of Chihli forces, that compliance by him with Japanese demand caused gap of four miles in the center of his army appears inconsistent with fact that neither side have kept at that distance from railway as is apparent from obstruction to railway communication which is guaranteed by protocol of 1901.34 Am mailing text.35
Peking Leader publishes Tsao reply reaffirming that Japanese troops at Yangtsun ordered his forces to observe two mile limit in accordance with treaty. In this matter see page 294, Appendix, Foreign Relations, 1901.