793.94/3697: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29—7:23 a.m.]
28. The Belgian Ambassador has frequently called upon me recently and expresses great anxiety over the situation. He feels the Japanese Army has got out of control, our dealings diplomatically being with a branch of the Government [apparent garble] and with no power either of telling what the military and naval branches of the Government [Page 97] are going to do or of making them conform to any representations it may make. He foresees additional trouble and is keeping in constant touch with me.
The British Ambassador is also in touch with me and under instructions from his Government is visiting the Foreign Office this afternoon.
Our Naval Attaché has received an official account from the Japanese Navy Department of events so far. They state that the landing of Japanese forces was with an understanding with the Shanghai municipal authorities, as indicated in my telegram No. 26, January 28, 9 p.m.71 to protect Japanese residents outside of Settlement zone. He is wiring details of sharp clash with Chinese Regular Army, and reports additional Japanese cruiser and four destroyers are being sent to Shanghai.