Office of the Historian

793.94/8208: Telegram

The Chargé in Japan (Dickover) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, October 1, 1936—10 p.m.
[Received October 1—4:02 p.m.]

200. Department’s 126, September 30, 7 p.m.

1.
British Ambassador, Clive, has informed the Embassy as follows: He saw Arita at Arita’s home this morning and orally expressed the concern of the British Government and the desire of the British Government to see Sino-Japanese relations established on a genuinely peaceful basis; Clive told Arita that the British Ambassador in China was calling the attention of the Chinese Government to the danger which would be likely to result from any alarmist attacks on Japanese nationals in China and expressing the hope that such developments would be prevented; speaking personally to Arita, Clive dwelt upon the likelihood that pressure on the part of Japan to gain far-reaching [Page 325] demands would force Chiang Kai-shek to armed resistance, with consequences so serious that no one could foresee the end; in the course of the interview Arita, in reply to Clive’s references to press reports, stated that the demands were not unconditional but subject to discussion and denied after apparent hesitation that they included the detachment of the five northern provinces involving separate customs administration and separate currency; Arita begged Clive that neither Clive’s official approach to Arita or his personally expressed sentiments be made known to the Chinese Government to which Clive agreed.
2.
Because of this request of Arita’s, Clive requested that his statements to the Embassy be kept in strict confidence.
3.
Clive informed the Embassy that he knew of no arguments which would be likely to influence the Japanese Government other than that of the serious consequences that would arise from China’s being forced in desperation to resist.
4.
In the present temper of the Japanese defense forces (possibly not shared by the Foreign Office), I do not think that an approach by the American Government to the Japanese Government will serve to lessen pressure upon China. I feel that such an approach would only serve to stiffen Japanese determination to proceed. I do not believe that the Japanese are prepared at this time to take drastic action in China but believe they will utilize the present situation to obtain concessions along the path of their larger objectives. This impression is supported by Arita’s statement to the British Ambassador that the present demands are not unconditional.
5.
At the same time, it is my opinion that it will be well to let the Japanese Government know by informal conversations, such as the Department suggests in its numbered paragraph 4, that the American Government is watching the situation constantly and with interest. As I can now receive visitors and as the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs has expressed a desire to visit me, it might be possible in this way to arrange the desired interview without the risk of press publicity, or the Department’s suggestion of Ballantine’s calling on the Vice Minister might serve the same purpose.
6.
The Embassy invites the Department’s attention to Clive’s statement to the Embassy that Clive agreed to Arita’s request that the British Government’s present approach to the Japanese Government be not divulged to the Chinese Government. This assurance apparently nullifies the intention of the British Government as expressed in the conclusion of the aide-mémoire.

Repeated to Peiping.

Dickover