793.94/8207: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, October 2, 1936—3
p.m.
[Received October 1—7:30 p.m.]
[Received October 1—7:30 p.m.]
471. Department’s 126, September 30, 7 p.m. to Tokyo.
- 1.
- Considering situation outlined in my 470, September 29, 4 p.m. I do not believe that any useful purpose would be served by an approach by us at this time either to the Japanese or to the Chinese Government.
- 2.
- British Ambassador informed me this evening that he had instructed his Counsellor at Nanking to visit Foreign Office and urge prevention further provocative incidents. I believe Chinese Government to be doing everything in its power to accomplish this, but I am convinced that situation is beyond their control and I am at a loss to know what else we could recommend except complete surrender.
- [3?].
- British Ambassador also informed me that Kawagoe had seen [Page 329] his Military Attaché who recommended that he leave Nanking. Kawagoe, however, is remaining in Nanking to prevent situation falling completely into the hands of the military. British Ambassador stated that Kawagoe is reported by Chinese Foreign Office representative to have urged Chinese acceptance as refusal would result in fall of Japanese Cabinet and coming into power in Tokyo of a much more extreme government.
- 4.
- In my opinion a direct approach from us at this time at Tokyo, considering present temper of Japanese military, would harm rather than help. I yield in this regard, however, to Tokyo’s opinion as to whether an expression of concern made to the Japanese without simultaneous representations at Nanking might aid Hirota Cabinet in facing pressure from military.
- 5.
- I still entertain views set forth in my 191, December 2, 3 p.m.28
Repeated to Tokyo, Nanking.
Johnson