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

793.94/2063: Telegram

The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, October 12, 1931—11 a.m.
[Received 12:30 p.m.]

182. Drummond has handed me for communication to you the following message from the Japanese Government which has been circulated to the members of the Council.

• “Firstly, since the beginning of present incident Japanese Government has spared no efforts to circumscribe events and settle matter by direct negotiations. It has further drawn up plan for withdrawing Japanese troops outside of railway zone to within zone progressively as protection of railway and security of life and property of Japanese nationals are assured. In this spirit Japanese Government responded to appeal of President of Council and joined in Council resolution of September 30th last. Secondly, the Japanese Government is firmly resolved to follow up line of conduct above indicated. With this object the Japanese Government has not complied with urgent requests of Japanese nationals residing in Northern Manchuria and Chientao district for despatch of troops for their protection but on the contrary has not hesitated where necessary to take extreme measures in shape of orders not only to Japanese nationals but also to consular staff to evacuate Manchuria and China properly speaking. Japanese Government cannot understand Chinese Government’s unperturbed aggravation of situation by failure to take any effective measures to arrest anti-Japanese movement which increases daily throughout the country especially in districts under Nanking Government’s control. Japanese Government continues to put forward idea of calming by direct negotiations atmosphere of extreme tension between the two peoples and not only settling present incident but also eradicating deeper causes of present incident with a view to preventing regrettable eventualities in future. Chinese Government is informed directly and indirectly of Japanese Government’s intention in this respect. In pursuance of program above indicated Japanese Government is withdrawing to within railway zone troops sent outside zone so far as situation permits. Withdrawal has made real progress since Japanese declaration of September 24th last.
• Thirdly, Chinese Government has withdrawn its unofficial proposal for direct negotiations which Japanese Government accepted on the ground that Council of League was dealing with the matter. Japanese Government continues to believe in direct negotiations as effective means of relieving situation and is glad to think that Council of League took same view when it called upon both parties by resolution of September 30 last to leave no stone unturned in order to hasten reestablishment of normal relations between the two parties. Since above unofficial proposal the Chinese Government has taken no steps calculated to show its sincere desire to ease situation as you desire and has rendered practically impossible all efforts to clear up disagreeable atmosphere prevailing between the two countries and especially to relieve the tension between the two armies in Manchuria, thus depriving of all practical value the assurance given by Chinese representatives to Council that China assumed responsibility for security of Japanese nationals with progressive withdrawal of Japanese troops within the railway zone. Under these circumstances military authorities are compelled to forego decision to withdraw troops except from localities in Manchuria where organizations exist capable or maintaining order. Growing insecurity of Japanese nationals in localities without Japanese troops, as shown by communications made to Council, renders particularly difficult the efforts to restore normal situation.
• Fourthly, the Chinese Government might explain its inactivity in connection with protection of Japanese nationals by flight of its local officials and dispersion of its troops as a result of Japanese troop operations. These operations are only a consequence of provocation of Japanese railway guards by Chinese soldiers which is natural outlet of animosity displayed by China towards Japan for years past. This anti-Japanese attitude has led Japanese troops to take measures of protection in a somewhat wide area to safeguard their own existence as well as the railway and Japanese nationals. For these reasons the Japanese Government is firmly convinced that only constructive way of solving the difficulties is to arrest anti-Japanese movement throughout China and to negotiate directly as soon as possible with a view to calming and limiting dangerous situation now prevailing between the two countries.
• Fifthly, the Chinese Government through its Minister at Tokyo has presented to the Japanese Government a note dated October 5 regarding the possibility of withdrawal of troops and maintenance of order in Manchuria. The Japanese Government replied to this note October 9 repeating once more its intentions and urging necessity of immediate negotiations with representatives of the Chinese Government on points raised by Chinese note as well as fundamental points indispensable for reestablishment of normal relations. Improvement of present situation therefore depends solely on sincerity displayed by Chinese Government in considering Japanese Government’s reply.”

Gilbert