393.115/239: Telegram
The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Salisbury) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12—9:45 a.m.]
225. Embassy’s 81, February 2, 7 p.m.95
- 1.
- The following unsigned communication headed by the word “note” was
handed to me this morning by a Secretary of the Japanese Embassy.
“The Japanese Embassy at the request of the Japanese military authorities beg to respectfully direct the attention of the representatives of the third powers in China to the following items and to their kindly compliance with requests hereinafter mentioned:
- (1)
- To place marks clearly visible both from the air and distance on land on the properties owned by the nationals of the third powers within the area between the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers and to report thereof to the Japanese Embassy at the earliest date with accompaniment of clear designations of such properties on maps. The similar request was made some time ago but owing to the fact that the result has not been fully satisfactory the despatch of the present note [was?] necessitated.
- (2)
- To give a due warning by the third powers to the authorities of General Chiang Kai Shek against Chinese military forces approaching their properties and also guard their use for military purpose; and to hold General Chiang’s authorities responsible for all the consequences arising in the event the warning is unheeded.
- (3)
- The representatives of the foreign powers are requested likewise to give warnings to the authorities of General Chiang Kai Shek against the use and abuses of their national flags on the properties of their respective nationals. When the flags are abusively employed in spite of the warnings, their legitimacy shall not be recognized; furthermore when they become confused with the flags legitimately used the Japanese military will be unable to bear the responsibility for the infringement of flags which might occur as a consequence arising under such circumstances.
- (4)
- To safeguard the life of the third nationals it is deemed highly advisable for them to seek refuge temporarily into a safer zone as the line of hostilities approach them.
The Japanese military authorities heretofore have zealously endeavored to respect the life and property of the nationals of the third powers in China and also to minimize their damages. In view, however, of the fact that the measures taken by the third powers have proven insufficient, the Japanese Embassy earnestly hope that the representatives of the third powers will, having a full understanding of the existing hostile conditions in their true light and the true intention of the Japanese military in their sincere effort for minimizing the damages, pay the most strict attention to the request hereinabove made.”
- 2.
- In delivering the “note” the Japanese Secretary stated that it was being delivered to the American Embassy only because it was being sent to other Embassies and Legations, that it could be regarded merely as a “copy” of what was being sent to the other Missions inasmuch as the American Embassy had responded so adequately to the first note of this character (quoted in the above mentioned telegram) and that it was not desired that this Embassy take any action as a result of receiving this “note”.
- 3.
- Unless otherwise instructed I shall acknowledge the receipt of the “note” in memorandum and repeat the American Government’s position as described in the Department’s 7 of January 7, 7 p.m.96
- 4.
- A statement in English entitled “Statement by the Headquarters of the Japanese Forces in North China” was handed to foreign press correspondents this morning at the Japanese press conference. This statement refers to “extreme inconveniences” the Japanese Army has undergone in offensive operations because of its policy of protecting life and property of third powers although the Chinese military have at times attempted to embroil Japan with third powers by concentrating their forces nearest property of nationals of third powers, describes an incident wherein Chinese forces allegedly used the flag of a third power, refers to the Japanese note quoted in the above mentioned telegrams, states that some (diplomatic) representatives have not as yet supplied the necessary data and outlines the four points contained in and the final paragraph of the “note” quoted in this telegram.
Repeated to Hankow.