793.94/3972
The British Embassy to the Department of State8
Telegram From Shanghai, January 30, 1932
At a meeting of Defence Committee this morning situation was considered to be extremely serious. In spite of protests, Japanese forces continue to use sector of other nations both offensively and defensively, thereby infringing neutrality of the Settlement. Further protests are now being made through consular bodies.
His Majesty’s Ambassador at Tokio is advised by telegram dated yesterday that, from the foregoing it is clear that assurances given him and reported to the Foreign Office are not being observed. This would be a very grave breach of faith. He is to make renewed and immediate representations and if the answer is not entirely satisfactory he is to protest with great seriousness and energy.
It is hoped that the Government of the United States will make similar representations.
- Handed by the British Ambassador to the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, January 31. This paper bears the following notation, in handwriting presumed to be the Ambassador’s: “Rome & Paris similarly instructed.”↩