Office of the Historian

693.002 Manchuria/180: Telegram

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

Washington, July 8, 1932—6 p.m.

201. Your 748, June 30, 2 p.m.

1. Department suggests that such requests for instruction be accompanied by indication of Legation’s views.

2. Department regards as appropriate the reply made by you as reported in last paragraph, first sentence.

Department desires that you refrain from making further reply, unless your Japanese colleague again approaches you on the subject. In that event, only, Department suggests that you should reply briefly in the same terms.

3. Do you regard the statement reported in penultimate paragraph of your telegram under reference as a serious threat and likely to be carried out?

Stimson