793.94/2689: Telegram

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

1.
I returned to Nanking yesterday and in the afternoon was requested to visit the President where I found my British and French colleagues. After the interview we agreed upon the following text of an identic telegram to our respective countries.
2.

“The President summoned me and my British and French colleagues on November 13 and communicated to us telegrams received from Chang Hsueh-liang concerning situations at Tientsin and Tsitsihar. I understand that substance has been telegraphed to Geneva. As regards Tientsin, it was alleged that, in spite of agreement reached between Chinese and Japanese, firing was resumed from direction of Japanese Concession in early morning of November 13th. Chinese authorities at Tientsin, acting at the instance of Chinese Chamber of Commerce had approached foreign consuls with request that they arrange for foreign troops to organize some form of observation over the 300 meters neutral zone. Local Chinese authorities reported situation to be again serious. Suspicions of Chinese Government in regard to Japanese intentions at Tientsin had been increased by receipt on November 12 of strongly worded note from Japanese Minister calling upon Chinese to withdraw all troops from 20-li zone round Tientsin, in accordance with 1901 protocol, and adding that if this has not been done Japanese would take necessary measures. President appealed to us most earnestly to investigate origin of trouble at Tientsin with a view to fixing responsibility and to take [Page 437] some action in interests of peace and security of other concessions to prevent further disturbances; and he urged us to accede to Chinese request for international forces to take charge neutral zone. I pointed out delicate position in which such troops might be placed if fired upon and danger of our thus being dragged into the conflict. I could not authorize such steps without instructions of my Government. But I undertook to telegraph at once to the Consulate General at Tientsin for a report on actual situation and his recommendations as to what if anything could be done to minimize danger of further disturbances and at the same time to report urgently to you by telegraph the President’s wish. My colleagues took similar line. As regards Tsitsihar, report stated that Japanese agent professing to represent General Honjo had demanded of General Ma that he withdraw from Tsitsihar before midnight November 12th. Before expiration of ultimatum Japanese troops had attacked and fighting was proceeding. President begged that we would instruct our representatives on the spot to furnish [report?] on the situation for the information of the League before November 16, with special reference to responsibility for resumption of hostilities. He assured us that General Ma had remained strictly on the defensive. We said that we were receiving reports all the time and transmitting them to our Government. His Excellency urged that we should arrange for a joint investigation and report, which we pointed out would be difficult unless so instructed by our Governments. Chang Hsueh-liang’s telegrams also reported that ex-Emperor, Pu Yi, had arrived at Dairen en route for Mukden.”

Johnson
  1. Telegram in three sections.