Office of the Historian

893.01 Manchuria/393: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, August 20, 1932—5 p.m.
[Received August 20—7:34 a.m.]

216. The newspapers report that the Foreign Office has submitted to the Cabinet a tentative draft of a basic treaty with Manchukuo providing:

1.
That Manchukuo recognize and respect all rights and interests acquired by treaty by the Japanese Government and people in its territory.
2.
That Japan and Manchukuo enter into a defensive alliance.
3.
That Manchukuo is primarily responsible for the maintenance of peace in its territories but that Japan shall lend assistance when necessary.

This treaty if approved by the Cabinet will be sent to Muto for negotiation. After the treaty is signed Japan will recognize Manchukuo. According to one newspaper this will be by the middle of September, but another states that recognition will be granted on or before September 18th, as the League Assembly meets on the 19th.

The Embassy has been unable to confirm this report but believes it authentic.

Repeated to Peiping.

Grew