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

793.94/1820: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

Washington, September 22, 1931—6 p.m.

58. Your 116, September 20, 4 p.m., final paragraph. The press has been given no statement on this subject other than the following, which was dated September 19:³⁸

“The Department is informed from American official sources that Japanese troops have occupied Mukden, Newchwang, Changchun, Antung and Kowpangtze and have taken over all Government services. The reports state that all foreigners are safe.”

Correspondents at Department daily press conferences have raised the question of applying the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 and the Nine-Power (not Four-Power) Treaty of Washington, but a noncommittal attitude has been taken by the Department. See the Department’s 119, September 22, 1 p.m., to the Minister in Switzerland for the Department’s position thus far.

Stimson

38. Quatation not paraphrased.