793.94 Commission/510
The Consul General at Mukden (Myers) to the Minister in China (Johnson)88
Sir: Referring to my telegram of October 5, 12 noon, giving a brief résumé of a statement in regard to the Lytton report made to foreign press correspondents by Secretary Tsurumi as spokesman of the Japanese Embassy, I have the honor to report briefly concerning the statements issued by the Embassy on this subject.
There is enclosed herewith the statement, as published by The Manchuria Daily News of October 4, 1932,89 of General Muto’s impressions concerning the Lytton report which were given to the press in the afternoon of October 3. This statement corresponds with the version of the General’s impressions given me by an American press correspondent. The General’s conclusion that Japan will pursue its fixed policy and that “no power on earth can change this highest policy of Japan” is the essence of the statement.
The statement which was issued by Mr. Tsurumi in the name of the Embassy late in the afternoon of October 4, a résumé of which was [Page 291] telegraphed to the Legation, as stated above, is of particular interest. It is inferred that this statement was only made to foreign press correspondents as no reference to it has appeared in the local press. The statement as given me by an American correspondent was substantially as follows:
We are very angry over the report. It is impractical, pro-League and further study shows it to be distinctly anti-Japanese. It is impossible to carry its main points into effect. Great Britain failed to select the right man; General Claudel could not check the headstrong Lytton. We thought Anglo-Saxons were more liberal. General McCoy followed America’s policy; we regarded him as an honest exponent of Stimson’s policy. Lord Lytton has not a single qualification of a statesman; we are not taking his viewpoint as that of Great Britain—she is much wiser (saner). Chang Hsueh-liang will be encouraged to instigate rebels and bandits to further activity but otherwise the report will have no effect. Manchoukuo officials are very incensed and excited. We are simply ignoring the report; Manchoukuo has nothing to do with it or the League. The report has aggravated the world situation.
At this point, the correspondents referred to Japan’s request for an investigation of the Manchurian situation by a League Commission and asked several questions, to one of which Mr. Tsurumi remarked that they (the Japanese) had gained their main object, that is, of dragging the issue out—the implication is obvious. He immediately noted this slip of the tongue and asked the correspondents not to publish this remark. In reply to questions regarding their opinion of the other commissioners he stated that they had a very favorable opinion of Dr. Schnee and that Count Aldrovandi was quite fair; and further that they believed that General Claudel reflected the views of his Government.
Mr. Tsurumi is excitable and it was apparent that at the time of the press conference he was under tension. There is no doubt but that Japanese officialdom are much exercised over the report as Mr. Tsurumi’s statements clearly indicate.
Respectfully yours,