793.94/5670: Telegram

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

8. My 4, January 3, 11 a.m. [1 p.m.] I am informed this morning that Marshal Chang replied to Japanese letter stating in substance [Page 4] that he considered affair at Shanhaikwan a national emergency and not a local event and informed Japanese Commandant at Tientsin that other communications on the subject should be made direct to National Government at Nanking. Reply enumerates events as Chinese know them, claims Japanese must bear responsibility for initiating action.

Johnson