793.94/8993: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State

505. I have just seen Vansittart85 at his request and he showed me a telegram received this morning from the British Embassy at Peiping stating that the Japanese liaison officer has informed the senior commandant [Page 272] that the Japanese would launch at noon a general attack against all Chinese forces both within and without the city irrespective of whether or not the withdrawal of the 37th Division is proceeding satisfactorily. The British Embassy in Peiping has instructed its representative at Tientsin to call on the Japanese Ambassador and to strongly urge upon him that Japan should refrain from any unnecessary violence and to point out that if at noon the 37th Division is in fact withdrawing, an attack by the Japanese military can only be regarded by the civilized world as without any possible justification. The British Embassy at Peiping understands that the Japanese have given assurance that no bombs or artillery will be directed against the city but Vansittart points out that any form of attack would endanger foreigners.

The Foreign Office is very much concerned about this situation in view of the possible danger to British lives and Vansittart stated that an instruction would go out immediately to the British Embassy at Tokyo to urge the Japanese Government to refrain from any precipitate action and to emphasize the danger to which any form of attack on Peiping would subject the foreign communities, while expressing the hope that the report from Peiping of Japanese intentions is untrue. The Foreign Office feels that the presence of large numbers of British nationals in Peiping gives them a very strong locus standi for pressing moderation upon the Japanese and Vansittart said that they earnestly hope you will be able to make similar recommendations to the Japanese.

Bingham
  1. Sir Robert Gilbert Vansittart, British Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.