Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1931, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/2351

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, September 30, 1931.
[Received October 26.]

No. 1201

Sir: I have the honor to report that on September 17th I had a conversation with Mr. Makoto Yano, Counselor of the Japanese Legation in Peiping, in the course of which we discussed the situation in Manchuria. The Department will observe that this conversation took place just twenty-four hours before the occupation of Mukden by the Japanese. (See enclosure #1).

On September 21st the Japanese newspaper Keishiv-Nichinichi Shimbun in Tientsin published what purported to be a statement made by me to Mr. Yano, in which I am quoted as suggesting that “Japan should avoid military and political measures in dealing with Manchuria and Mongolia”. This item was copied by the Chinese newspaper Ta Kung Pao (Tientsin) of September 22nd. (See enclosure #2).⁸³

On the following day Mr. Nakayama, First Secretary of the Japanese Legation, called on Mr. Engert⁸⁴ to say that Mr. Yano was extremely sorry this publicity had been given to his informal interview with me, and that he had at once taken steps to deny it. As a result the Japanese paper had published a denial on September 22nd, and the Tientsin Ta Kung Pao on September 23rd. (See enclosure #3).⁸³ He added that Mr. Yano would express his regrets to me in person.

Mr. Yano called on me on September 24th to explain the matter. (See enclosure #4).⁸³ I assured him that as far as I was concerned no harm had been done.

Curiously enough, no English language newspaper in Peiping or Tientsin appears to have noticed the original item in the Japanese and Chinese papers. Had they done so, far greater publicity would doubtless have been given to the interview—especially in the light of subsequent events—and the Japanese Legation would have found it much more embarrassing. Both Yano and Nakayama seemed distinctly nervous lest my alleged expression of opinion prove damaging to the Japanese cause.

Respectfully yours,

Nelson Trusler Johnson

[Enclosure]

Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson)

Peeping, September 17, 1931.

I saw Mr. Yano, Counselor of the Japanese Legation, at the home of Mr. Engert this evening and after dinner we discussed the question of the Nakamura case and the Japanese attitude toward Manchuria. I told Mr. Yano that my information was that the Japanese were preparing to occupy Manchuria but that I was not disposed to credit this information.

Mr. Yano stated that such information was of course absurd. They were now awaiting a second investigation into the Nakamura case and it was to be expected that this matter would be settled amicably between the two countries. He said it was fantastic to think that Japan would take physical possession of Manchuria at this time when it was so easy for Japan to exploit the country economically without any of the burdens contingent upon administrative expense. He stated that this was the view of Japanese military authorities in spite of the fact that there might be a few minor military officials who were given to talk of a disturbing character.

Nelson Trusler Johnson

83. Not printed.
84. Cornelius Van H. Engert, First Secretary of Legation.
83. Not printed.
83. Not printed.