793.94/5698: Telegram

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

26. British Chargé d’Affaires informs me that yesterday evening he called at Japanese Legation and invited their attention to serious situation which had arisen in the neighborhood of Chinwangtao with attendant threat of serious clash between Chinese and Japanese and he expressed the hope that care would be exercised in view of danger to large British interests there. He made same communication through his representative at Nanking. He also informed Marshal Chang of action.

Today he received reply of Marshal Chang stating Japanese must be held responsible for any damage that might be done.

Marshal’s representative informed British Chargé d’Affaires that the Marshal, under orders from Nanking, was mobilizing for the purpose of retaking Shanhaikwan.

Johnson