894.001H61/73c: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China ( Johnson )59
234. 1. On August 5 the Japanese Ambassador called in regard to the publication in Vanity Fair of a caricature of the Emperor of Japan.
[Page 866]2. Subsequently, the Department made available to the press a statement as follows:
“The Secretary of State, in replying to the representations of the Ambassador of Japan relative to material which appeared in the current issue of an American periodical, referred to the reported statement of the publisher denying any purpose to give offense.
The Secretary then said that he is always sorry when incidents occur or situations arise which are taken amiss and occasion misunderstanding between this and any other country.”
3. For your particular information: any reports which may affirm that the Secretary made apology or any statement tantamount thereto are contrary to fact.
4. Repeat to Nanking and Shanghai.
- Substantially the same telegram was sent to the Ambassador in Japan as No. 123, August 5, 6 p.m. (894.001H61/73b).↩