711.94/1954: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—7:48 a.m.]
196. In connection with the last sentence in paragraph No. 1 of telegram No. 126 of January 27 from the Embassy, the Ambassador states that the Liutiaokow and Lukouchiao incidents were confused due to an unfortunate error in translation. The Japanese Foreign Minister’s reference was not to the Marco Polo Bridge or Lukouchiao incident of July 7, 1937, but to the incident which occurred at Liutiaokow on September 18, 1931. The following is a translation of the statement: “The traditional patience of the Japanese finally was exhausted and the blow was dealt at Liutiaokow.” The phraseology used by Mr. Matsuoka does not necessarily assert that the Japanese made the original attack. There is not available any official text of the statement and the reports appearing in the various newspapers differ slightly from the text sent to the Department.