793.94/8746: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 13—2:20 p.m.]
466. Cadogan told Johnson82 late this afternoon that he had just been informed by the French Ambassador that the Japanese Ambassador in Paris had called on the French Foreign Secretary and stated that “recent incidents in North China were not of a local character but are the result of anti-Japanese feeling stirred up in North China by the Nanking Government; that the Japanese, having a special interest in Manchukuo, would have to take the necessary measures to safeguard their interests; that Japan has decided to put an end to this agitation and if circumstances require it she would abandon her positions in South China and concentrate in the North; that all Japan was united in this matter and that the illusions created by certain statements of Sato were being rapidly dissipated”.
Cadogan said that this information looked very serious to him. The Japanese Ambassador in London has not yet made a similar communication to the Foreign Office. Cadogan said that he did not understand what was meant by Japan abandoning her positions in South China.
Cadogan said that the French Ambassador had also informed him that the French Ambassadors in Tokyo and Nanking have been instructed to cooperate with the British in any attempts at conciliation the British Government may decide to make. A telegraphic instruction has been sent this afternoon to Sir Ronald Lindsay83 containing suggestions for possible action at Tokyo and Nanking to alleviate the situation, which Cadogan expects you will receive tomorrow morning.