Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume I

Press Release Issued by the Department of State on January 31, 1938³⁸

January 31, 1938

The Department of State on the evening of January 28, 1938, instructed the American Embassy at Tokyo to make oral representations to the Japanese Foreign Office with reference to the incident involving the slapping by a Japanese soldier of Mr. John M. Allison, third secretary of the American Embassy at Nanking, on January 26.

The Department instructed the Embassy at Tokyo orally to communicate the substance of Mr. Allison’s telegrams of January 27 and 28 to a high officer of the Japanese Foreign Office and that in so doing there be emphasized that in weighing the gravity of the incident this Government takes into account the fact that the whole incident, including the slapping by a Japanese soldier of a diplomatic representative of this Government, is not an isolated case, but represents but one of and cannot be dissociated from a series of cases of irregular entry of American property and disregard of American rights by Japanese soldiers. The Embassy was also to emphasize that in the light of all these continuing incidents and of the statement made by Mr. Fukui of the Japanese Embassy at Nanking that Mr. Allison was placing too much confidence in the statements of American missionaries, it was important that this Government’s representative at Nanking ascertain the truth in regard to reports of the continued invasions of American property. It was suggested that the Embassy point out that Mr. Allison was investigating an unauthorized and unwarranted entry of American property; that, in company with a Japanese consular policeman and Japanese gendarmes, Mr. Allison proceeded to the American property in question; that the investigation led from the American property to property which was a former residence of Catholic priests but now occupied by Japanese soldiers; that the purpose in going to the last-mentioned property was to identify if possible the persons who had without warrant entered the American property in question; that Mr. Allison and Mr. Riggs, without encountering any sentry or guard, followed the Japanese gendarme [s] inside the open gate of the compound occupied by the Japanese soldiers; that as soon as a Japanese soldier indicated that they should withdraw, they began doing so; and that the soldier slapped Mr. Allison before Mr. Allison had time to get out of the gate and while Mr. Allison was in process of backing out of the compound.

The Foreign Office was to be informed that this Government expected to receive from the Foreign Office a suitable expression of regret and an assurance that the Japanese Government will take adequate measures to punish the offenders.

Ambassador Grew reported on January 29 that the Department’s instructions were fully carried out in a long conversation which he held with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs on the evening of January 29. Ambassador Grew emphasized the importance of prompt compliance with the expectations of the American Government and said that he would remain at home all day Sunday, January 30, in the hope of receiving an immediate answer.

Ambassador Grew reported last night that the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs asked him to come to his official residence at 10 o’clock the night of Sunday, January 30, and expressed to Mr. Grew in the name of the Japanese Government profound regret at the assault on Mr. Allison and gave assurances that after strict investigation the Japanese Government will take suitable and adequate measures to punish those concerned in this affair. The following is the Embassy’s translation of the text of the Vice Minister’s oral communication:

• “1. Whatever the antecedent circumstances might have been the striking by a Japanese soldier of an American consular officer is a most regrettable occurrence. A Japanese staff officer has already expressed in the name of the commanding officer regrets and apologies over the incident, and although Mr. Allison has apparently accepted such regrets and apologies the Imperial Government for its part hereby expresses its profound regrets over the occurrence of this unfortunate incident.
• “2. In view of the serious character of this incident the Imperial Government gives assurance that after strict investigation it will take suitable and adequate measures to punish those concerned in this affair.
• “3. Whenever incidents of this character take place, discrepancies are likely to occur between the respective contentions of the persons involved, and in this instance there are substantial differences between Consul Allison’s report, as described in the complaint of the American Government, and in the report received by the Japanese Government in respect of the circumstances leading up to the slapping of the American consul by the Japanese soldier. The determination of the actual facts must await a careful investigation which is now to be undertaken, and it is desired accordingly to report the carrying out of such investigations.”

The third secretary of embassy, John M. Allison, has now reported to the Department of State that he was informed on the afternoon of January 30 by Major Hongo that after a preliminary investigation the commanding officer and 20 men of the unit concerned are being tried by court-martial. Major Hongo also stated that he realized there had been a misunderstanding with regard to Mr. Allison’s having insulted the Japanese Army and that the matter had been explained to the higher military authorities.

38. Reprinted from Department of State, Press Releases, February 5, 1938 (vol. xviii, No. 436), p. 196.