Office of the Historian

124.932/569: Telegram

The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, February 2, 1938—4 p.m.
[Received February 2—9:45 a.m.]

46. Embassy’s February 1, noon,44 and January 24, 4 p.m.45 Due to press of business Mr. Fukui was unable to see me to discuss the Department’s instructions until just recently. With regard to point 1 he stated it would be necessary to consult higher authorities before stating what the Japanese Government would do. He asked me why the State Department did not wish to have the apology made through the local diplomatic channels and insisted upon it being made by a military officer. I replied that I had no information on that point.

In regard to point 3, Mr. Fukui again stated that the Japanese Government could not be responsible for damages resulting from military operations and said that if this was insisted upon it would be necessary to handle the claims in Tokyo. He suggested that the matter of violation of Embassy property be settled first and that we then discuss the settlement of private claims. I told him that if the first matter could be settled promptly, I saw no objection to this procedure. Mr. Fukui promised to call upon me shortly and give the Japanese answer to the Department’s demands, but he has not yet done so. I intend to see him this evening and ask when I may expect his reply.

Sent to Embassy, Hankow, repeated to Peiping and Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Allison
  1. Not found in Department files.↩
  2. Not printed; see Department’s telegram No. 29, January 21, 2 p.m., to the Ambassador in China, p. 243.↩