793.94/5973: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 5—5:10 a.m.]
213. From Consul General Tientsin, March 4, 3 p.m.
“Today’s vernacular newspapers allege that General Yu stated yesterday that Japanese Consul General has lodged three protests as follows:
- 1.
- That there should be no troops stationed in Tientsin.
- 2.
- That no fortifications should be erected at Tangku and,
- 3.
- That the Chinese troops stationed at Machuangtze should be evacuated.
A responsible official in General Yu’s office today informed me confidentially the three successive protests substantially as above have been lodged with Provincial Chairman. Replies to first two were made saying that protocol would be observed. When third note was received matter was referred to Nanking and no instructions have thus far been received in reply. Troop movements eastward through Tientsin have practically ceased.”