793.94/1807: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—3 a.m.]
609. Commandant of American Guard who is Senior Commandant informs me that Commandant of Japanese Legation Guard came to him this morning and after informing him of happenings in Manchuria along the lines reported in Tokyo’s 153, September 19, 5 p.m., referred to possibility of attacks upon Japanese nationals resident in Peiping. He asked concerning attitude of the Senior Commandant in such eventuality with special reference to general plan of defense of foreigners and Legation Quarter in case of attack. Commandant of American Guard replied with my approval that present situation involving as it does only Japanese would not warrant invoking of general plan. Senior Commandant suggested that if Japanese citizens are threatened outside Legation Quarter obvious step would be for Japanese authorities to bring them into their own Legation.
Repeated to commander in chief.