793.94/6142: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 7—9:55 a.m.]
312. My 296, March 31, 4 p.m. Following from American Embassy at Tokyo:
“April 6, 3 p.m. Your March 28, 2 p.m. Kautto. Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs today stated that the matter of occupation of American mission property at Mutowteng and Shwangshantze was still under investigation by the Army and that complete report was not yet available.
Regarding dropping of bombs at Taitowying the Japanese authorities state that it is possible that damage may have been done to property. Japanese scouting planes were operating over this place at the time mentioned against Chinese forces. They were flying at a height of 1,500 meters. At that height it is impossible to make out a flag flying vertically from a pole and suggest that it would be better to place the flag horizontally over the ground or roofs. If damage was done the military sincerely regret it as they have strict instructions to cause no trouble to foreigners and they had and have no intention of so doing.
This information will probably be communicated to you by the Japanese Legation and to Department by Japanese Embassy in Washington.”
- 2.
- Nakayama, First Secretary in charge of Japanese Legation, called yesterday and stated that he had been instructed by his Government to see me and express regret for the damage done to American property and the danger caused to American life by Japanese bombing at Taitowying; that Japanese investigation of damage done is impossible at this time since property concerned is within Chinese lines; that Japanese military state that it was not their intention to attack or damage foreign life or property; that on the contrary they were doing everything possible to assure protection thereof; that Chinese on occasion use foreign property as shield for staging attacks and that in such Japanese have no other recourse than to resist such attacks; that Japanese authorities hope that Legation warn Kautto to take cognizance of this aspect of the matter and repair to place of safety.
- 3.
- I thanked Nakayama for his expression of regret, expressed appreciation of attitude of the Japanese military as stated by him and as indicated by operations in Jehol and concluded with statement that Taitowying bombing was brought to his attention in the hope that this knowledge will assist Japanese in their efforts not to interfere with American property.
- 4.
- Lockhart’s April 4, noon, to the Department and the Legation and previous reports appear fully to bear out statement of case as made by the Japanese Legation. Location of mission property has been notified to the Japanese Legation.