394.1123 Thomson, J. C./11: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, June 23, 1938—8
p.m.
[Received June 23—1:05 p.m.]
[Received June 23—1:05 p.m.]
406. Department’s 204, June 22, 4 p.m.
- 1.
- In connection with the Massie case (see our 405, June 23, 7 p.m.77) and in continuation of the representations which I made at the Foreign Office on June 20 (our 392, June 20, 5 p.m.), the Thomson case was again taken up today with the Foreign Office. We stated that questions were asked about this case yesterday at the Secretary’s press conference, that the American Government is not disposed to give the matter publicity, but that if the case is not speedily solved in a way satisfactory to us, full publicity to the facts would have to be given. As the first step toward such solution, the Consul General at Nanking should be directed to withdraw his letter to Allison. The Foreign Office replied that, according to a report received from the Japanese Consul General, the evidence available to the Japanese is that Thomson was not believed slapped as charged. The Foreign Office added that the single allegation by Dr. Thomson would not be considered sufficient to overcome such evidence, but that if the American authorities at Nanking could present evidence corroborating that of Dr. Thomson the Japanese authorities would be prepared to give the matter further consideration. We stated that if there were any doubt whatever as to the facts of the case as stated by Dr. Thomson, the occurrence of the Massie case would tend to remove such doubt.
- 2.
- The Foreign Office intimated that it would be glad to receive from us further information which would enable it to insist that the War Department instruct the military authorities at Nanking to take further action in the matter which would go toward meeting our wishes. I shall, of course, again take up and further press this case in my forthcoming interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Repeated to Shanghai for Nanking.
Grew
- Not printed.↩