793.94/7066: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—12:43 p.m.]
288. My 270, June 13, 3 p.m.; Tokyo’s 128, June 12 [11], 6[5] p.m.; and Nanking’s 155, June 14, 11 a.m. My informant set forth very accurately Japanese intent in recent happenings in North China and established the fact that Japanese will hereafter insist that at least in this area only officials acceptable to Japanese military will be permitted to function. Department will note disparity between these statements and those made by Japanese Ambassador as set forth in Department’s 93, June 15, 4 p.m. to Tokyo.
I doubt value of inviting attention of Japanese Foreign Office to obvious contraventions of Nine-Power Treaty. The course of action in my opinion was determined upon by Kwantung military authorities without consultation with or approval of Japanese Foreign Office. I feel certain that recent moves in China were decided upon and carried out by Kwantung Army to emphasize Army’s disapproval of Hirota’s policy of friendship, and that any adverse comment thereon by Great Britain or America may lead to an aggravation of the situation. Unconfirmed newspaper reports to the effect that China had appealed under the Nine-Power Treaty to England and America provoked criticism by Kwantung Army representatives in Tientsin yesterday and knowledge that Great Britain and America have dared comment adversely [Page 258] upon activities of Kwantung Army will, in my opinion, only result in infuriating army leader[s] and probably in inciting them to further activities.
Repeated to Tokyo.