393.1123 Winterle/14: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7—10:35 a.m.]
84. Embassy’s October 3, 11 a.m.91 and previous. In view of the statement made by Paxton in his October 1, 8 p.m., repeated in my October 2, 3 p.m., that he is satisfied that Navy was involved, I am instructing Paxton to return to Chefoo. He will propose to the Japanese Consul in view of the conflicting reports telegraphed regarding the origin of the affray and the difficulty of arriving at the facts that unless he after consideration has further suggestions for means of arriving at the facts or unless he desires to await outcome Winterle case, either, (1) the case be dropped with mutual oral assurances to make efforts to prevent disturbances involving their respective nationals or, (2), mutual regrets be orally expressed for any participation by police officers and naval personnel that may have occurred with mutual assurances investigation under (1).
I am instructing Ballantine to remain here pending outcome of this proposal but consider it advisable that he visit Chefoo later irrespective of whether proposal is accepted.
- Not printed.↩