793.94/10876
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
In reply to representations which His Majesty’s Ambassador at Tokyo had made to the Japanese Government regarding the use of the International Settlement at Shanghai as a base of operations, Sir R. Craigie has received a note verbale attributing the Japanese [Page 643] military action in Shanghai to the concentration of considerable Chinese forces and the challenge to the Japanese landing party which necessitated defensive operations. These, it is stated, became extended owing to threatening Chinese action. Moreover the increase of Japanese personnel and material strength in the Northern sector was justified by their general obligation to police and defend the International Settlement and by their established right to protect Japanese residents there.
Japan, the communication continues, has, along with other Powers, extensive rights and interests in the Settlement, and is submitting to considerable sacrifices resulting from the present operations. Although unavoidably using part of the Settlement in connexion with the present military operations, the Japanese Government entertain the most serious regard for foreign rights and interests which they are taking care as far as possible to respect.
As a result of this communication, Sir R. Craigie has been instructed to inform the Japanese Government that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom cannot accept the argument that all Japanese activities in the Settlement can be justified as being defence measures, but that His Majesty’s Government do not wish to prolong an unprofitable argument on this point.
His Excellency is further to point out that the Japanese Government admit that they are using part of the Settlement in connexion with the present military operations, and that His Majesty’s Government must maintain their protest at this action.
His Majesty’s Government would be glad to learn whether the United States Government are prepared to adopt the attitude referred to above if they receive a similar note from the Japanese Government.