893.5045/256: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 27—3:55 p.m.]
500. My telegram number 498, November 25, 10 p.m. The following telegram to Shanghai repeated for your information.
“November 27, 7 p.m. In conference with senior minister today, the British and Japanese Ministers and myself agreed to send the following to our respective consuls in Shanghai:
- 1.
- Reports of the three judges have now reached senior minister. Very briefly stated conclusions of the British and Japanese judges agree in exonerating police and municipal authorities. American judge while holding that police had no alternative but to fire in the circumstances which arose, considers that they were at fault in having allowed such a necessity to arise.
- 2.
- In order to prevent spreading of mischievous and imaginary statements in the newspapers and among the Chinese, senior minister considers that it will be necessary in the near future to make a communication in the above sense to the press, prior to circulation and consideration of the reports, which are very [Page 717] lengthy, by the diplomatic body, and prior to their eventual publication which will be unavoidable.
- 3.
- You should in consultation with your British and Japanese colleagues suggest privately and confidentially to your respective nationals on the Municipal Council the urgent desirability of their spontaneously announcing to the senior consul that now that inquiry has been held they do not wish to take advantage of any difference of opinion but prefer to proceed forthwith to take steps in direction of settlement by offering generous compensation to the victims, both killed and injured, and by devising ways of dispensing with the services of the police commissioner and of the officers actually involved in the incident.
- 4.
- Action along the line indicated would seem to be all the more desirable in view of the fact that Chinese Government have just addressed to senior minister a note containing preposterous demands for a settlement of the incident.
Both British and Japanese however send instruction contained in paragraph 3 subject to ratification by their respective Governments. You may consult with your British and Japanese colleagues with a view to the taking of simultaneous action when they advise you they are in a position to do so.
I understand from British Minister that Barton favors and considers entirely feasible such action by the Council as is suggested. Let me ask your fullest and most earnest cooperation in bringing about the desired result as expeditiously as possible, the more particularly as there seems to be a danger that agitation regarding the Shanghai incident may be received [revived?] for political purposes.
Please keep me fully and promptly advised of action taken and progress of discussions in this connection.”
[Paraphrase.] My own preference would have been to have the reports in full published immediately. However my British and Japanese colleagues were not free to take such action. It may be hoped that the plan now adopted in harmony with their instructions will provide a settlement of the Shanghai incident which will be satisfactory and will give as little emphasis as possible to the embarrassing and unnecessary dicta contained in Johnson’s report. This may be accomplished, especially if the Council takes prompt and generous action. [End paraphrase.]