893.5045/240: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
291. Your 435, October 14, 6 p.m. You may inform Justice Johnson that this Government acquiesced in the holding of the judicial inquiry on the understanding that it was to be a public and impartial investigation to “establish and make known the facts” and “fix the responsibilities in regard to the Shanghai incident”. You may state that this Government desires that the Commission should pursue its investigation unhampered and freely, invite any evidence that will assist in making clear the facts and that the fullest opportunity be given to anyone having knowledge of the facts to come before it and give without fear any pertinent information that they may have. To that end he is free to take any necessary action to bring out the facts and the truth even though, regrettable as such action might be, this should compel him to make a minority report.