793.94/3310d: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Forbes)
273. 1. My 240, November 23, 7 p.m.; 259, December 8, 11 a.m., paragraph 2; and 262, December 11, 9 p.m., last two paragraphs. Please reread these telegrams.
2. Reports from a variety of official sources and from news despatches indicate definite plans are being made by the Japanese authorities for the purpose of forcing the withdrawal of the Chinese south of the Wall, contemplating, if necessary to accomplish that objective, resort to hostilities against the regular forces of the Chinese in the vicinity of Chinchow.
I have been informed by the French Ambassador that the French Ambassador in Tokyo has been instructed by M. Briand to make representations [Page 66] to the Japanese Government concerning this situation and to urge upon the Japanese Government that with the greatest care it measure its obligations and responsibilities under the December 10 resolution of the Council, and to point out that the conciliatory efforts of the League Council would be compromised by military operations against Chinchow.
3. You will please call on the Foreign Minister, indicate my solicitous concern and, after reading to him on my behalf the following statement, leave a copy with him.85
“News despatches and reports from a variety of official sources are to the effect that responsible Japanese authorities are seriously contemplating action in connection with the continued presence of the regular Chinese military forces at and south of Chinchow in Manchuria, measures which, if followed through to their logical conclusion, would in all probability lead to renewal of armed hostilities. In the presence of these reports, I feel called upon, as a part of friendship, again frankly to convey to the Japanese Government expression of my apprehension.
On the basis of reports made by military observers of several nationalities on the spot, including our regular American military attachés, I find no evidence that the Chinese have engaged in or are preparing for any offensive military movement.
My position with regard to this matter has been made known to the Japanese Government both through the Japanese Ambassador in Washington86 and through the American Ambassador in Tokyo. The position of the Council of the League with regard to the whole question of further hostilities in Manchuria, along with other matters, is definitely recorded in the resolution of the Council of December 10, which resolution was approved by all members of the Council, including the Chinese and the Japanese representatives. The position of the American Government has been indicated by its express approval of the substance and the letter of that resolution. This approval was definitely recorded in my public statement of December 10.87 In that statement, after outlining and commenting upon the provisions of the resolution, including the provision for cessation of hostilities, I said: ‘The future efficacy of the Resolution depends upon the good faith with which the pledge against renewed hostilities is carried out by both parties and the spirit in which its provisions directed toward an ultimate solution are availed of.’
I cannot emphasize too strongly the view therein expressed. I feel that news of a new attack by Japanese armed forces in Manchuria upon Chinese regular armed forces would have a most unfortunate effect on world opinion. I feel that it would be regarded as unwarranted and would be interpreted as indicative of indifference to obligations assumed in the resolution of the Council of December 10 and obligations of long standing in various treaties to which Japan and China, as well as the United States, are parties.”