793.94/9060: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 29—10:28 a.m.]
338. The Italian Ambassador informs me that as the result of fighting which broke out at East Station Tientsin between Chinese and Japanese last night one Italian marine was accidentally killed and another wounded. It is evident that there has been during the last 24 hours considerable fighting between Chinese and Japanese around Tientsin. French Ambassador informs me that Japanese Consul General has demanded use of south bridge at Tientsin by Japanese troops, although previously Japanese commandant had given French Consul General an understanding that Japanese would not use this bridge. In view of serious development at Tientsin it would seem necessary that interested governments should make representations at Tokyo urging Japanese Government to refrain from any activity there which would jeopardize peace of concession area.
My Italian colleague has brought up question of using draft note proposed by French Ambassador which I communicated to the Department from Peiping.13 I feel that events have progressed now to the point where the address of such a note to the parties in conflict on [Page 291] the spot is of little value and that the only possible effective steps that can be taken should be taken at Tokyo.
Repeated to Peiping, Tientsin, Tokyo.