793.94/3758: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:15 p.m.]
34. Foreign Office gave out following communiqué late this evening:
“His Majesty’s Ambassador at Tokyo informed Japanese Foreign Minister today he had received instructions to call attention to the fact that the lives and interests of British subjects were exposed by the recent Japanese action at Shanghai and to protest against the use of the International Settlement as a base for attack. He also requested the Japanese Government should use every endeavor to restore normal conditions at the earliest possible moment.
The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs gave assurance that he fully appreciated the anxiety of the British Government and that everything possible would be done not to endanger British lives and property and that the International Settlement would not be used as a base of attack.
His Majesty’s Government has informed the American Government of the instructions sent to Ambassador Lindley and invited them to make the same representations to the Japanese Government.
It is understood from press dispatches that the American Government has taken similar action.”
In conversation Foreign Office has stated no official credence was given to rumors of declaration of war by China. Foreign Office further [Page 134] stated the British Legation at Nanking reported the Nanking Government had let it be known it would resist any further action by Japan and that from this had undoubtedly arisen rumors of war.