793.94/3369
Press Release Issued by the Department of State on December 24, 1931
The American Ambassador in Tokyo was instructed on December 224 to express to the Japanese Foreign Office the concern which this Government entertains, in view of recent reports apparently well-founded, to the effect that the Japanese army in Manchuria is contemplating movements in the direction of Chinchow which might lead to a renewal of armed hostilities with the regular Chinese military forces in and south of that city. He has been asked to call to the attention of the Japanese Government that the reports from the military observers of several nations in the Chinchow area, including the American military attaché, are to the effect that they find no evidence that the Chinese military forces have engaged in or are preparing for any offensive military movement.
- See telegram No. 273, December 22, 9 p.m., Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 65.↩