693.00/3653
The Acting Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador (Shidehara)
Excellency: In acknowledging the receipt of Your Excellency’s note of December 7, 1920, concerning the unfortunate mêlée which occurred at Tientsin on the night of March 12, 1919, between certain American soldiers and Japanese civilians and soldiers resulting in injuries to individuals on both sides, I have the honor to accept, on behalf of the Government of the United States, the expression of sincere regret, so frankly tendered by you on behalf of the Japanese Government, for the illegal arrest of American soldiers by the Japanese authorities at Tientsin, and for the misleading statement made by the Chief of the Japanese Police at Tientsin in reply to the American Consul-General as to the presence of American soldiers detained in the Japanese police station on the night of March 12, 1919.
In connection with the incident which occurred on the following day, March 13, when American soldiers entered the premises of the Japanese Consulate General at Tientsin and struck, without provocation, an official of the South Manchuria Railway Company who happened to be standing near the entrance of the house, I have the honor, on behalf of the Government of the United States, to repeat to the Japanese Government the expression of sincere regret for this incident which was originally conveyed to the Japanese authorities [Page 27] by the Commanding officer of the American military at Tientsin at the time it occurred.
I would further express the sincere regret of this Government if on the night of March 12, any American soldiers were present in the Japanese Concession contrary to the strict orders of the American military authorities.
Accept [etc.]