793.94/10380: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 2—12:10 p.m.]
628. Public opinion in Great Britain greatly shocked by the bombardment of defenseless civilians in China is gradually consolidating and resentment against the Japanese is being translated into various forms of protest. Business interests with investments in China are of course vocative in urging the Government to prevent further losses to British trade. A national protest meeting organized by Sir Arthur Salter through the News Chronicle is to be held on October 5, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Liberal, Socialist and Labor leaders and papers are vociferously demanding a national and international boycott of Japanese goods and the National Council of Labor has publicly endorsed this scheme.
[Page 574]At the present time the Government is letting it be known that it disapproves of the boycott idea and hence the conservative press is playing it down. There is frequent reference to the desirability of the United States joining in the boycott and it is realized by the advocates of this measure that no embargo could be effective without United States cooperation. The Manchester Guardian suggests that in order not to have the United States think “that we intend to have her pull the chestnut out of the fire for us” action should be taken through the League without making it contingent upon the United States taking similar action. It is announced that the Labor party will press the Government for an immediate convening of Parliament for the purpose of discussing the Far Eastern situation.
While I have no intimation of the Government’s point of view regarding any possible international economic boycott of Japan, it may be pointed out that the foreign nations in commenting to me on the agitation for a British boycott of Japan, although entirely sympathizing with the motives of the proposal, say it is an indication of how “irresponsible” public opinion can be. The proposers of the boycott have no conception, it is said, of how easily their recommendations, if translated into action, could land Great Britain in a war with Japan.