125.6331/180: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
Washington, September 14, 1934—7
p.m.
157. Your 187, August 23, 5 p.m.63
- 1.
- Department has now received Mukden’s despatch of August 2.64
- 2.
- The Department appreciates the thoughtful attention given by the Embassy and by the Consulate General at Mukden to indications of anti-American acts or agitation on the part of Japanese nationals and appreciates also the desirability of bringing to the attention of the appropriate Japanese authorities such manifestations of anti-American attitude as may give rise to apprehension lest continuation of objectionable activities associated therewith would be likely to lead to troublesome incidents. At the same time, however, the Department does not wish to run the risk of dissipating the effect of such official representations as have necessarily to be made from time to time; and for that reason it feels that the making of representations should be reserved for cases of importance wherein there is [Page 681] involved definite disregard of or serious menace to American interests.
- 3.
- After careful examination of the entire record of the Tsuchiyama incident, the Department does not perceive on what ground reasonable exception can be taken to the manner in which the Japanese authorities have handled this incident. The Department would therefore not wish to have any further action taken in regard to this incident or to see it form the basis of discussion with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the general subject of anti-American propaganda in Manchuria. Moreover, while the Department appreciates that the instances related by Mukden indicate some anti-American sentiment, the Department has noted Mukden’s statement that anti-American propaganda in Manchuria has during the past year tended to decrease and the Department does not believe that the incidents referred to by Mukden are of such a character as to warrant the conclusion that any useful purpose would be served by presenting them on this occasion to the Japanese Government.
- 4.
- Department commends Chase65 for his careful handling and thorough presentation of the incident under reference.
- 5.
- Please inform Peiping and Mukden.
Hull