394.1123 Thomson, J. C./34: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
267. Your 500, July 29, 11 p.m., in regard to publication of aide-mémoire on the Thomson incident.
1. Without prejudicing our initial intention to give publication to the aide-mémoire on the case, we are prepared, in the light of the considerations brought forward in your telegram under reference, to “step aside for the moment” to consider the proposal made by Yoshizawa. However, we find objectionable the possible implications of, and are therefore not inclined to agree to, the concluding phrase in paragraph 3 of your telegram. Provided the Japanese are prepared to issue a statement as set forth in paragraph 3 of your telegram, we would be prepared to issue simultaneously a statement that
“after and in the light of a long discussion of the matter, we are convinced that no effectual purpose would be served by further contention over the incident, and that, while this Government continues to adhere to its understanding of the facts of the Thomson incident, we are prepared, in view of the Japanese authorities’ statement of intention to caution Japanese soldiery, to consider the case closed”.
2. However, should you find it impossible to induce the Japanese to agree to the formula above, you are authorized to submit an alternative formula for a statement by us as follows: (same as the above up to the words “Thomson incident” and continue)
“we are confident that the intention of the Japanese military authorities, when carried out, to impress upon Japanese soldiery the importance and propriety of maintaining an attitude of civility toward American nationals, together with the known desire and intention, reinforced by advice from American officials in China, of American nationals to avoid giving occasion for difficulties with Japanese sentries, would contribute substantially toward preventing friction, and therefore toward preventing future incidents, and, under these circumstances, we are prepared to consider the Thomson case closed.”
Should you find it necessary to propose the foregoing formula, we would of course be prepared to consider minor changes in phraseology which you might recommend but we suggest that you make it [Page 428] clear to the Japanese that we are not prepared further to modify our position.
3. We hope that you will be able to reach an early agreement with the Japanese Foreign Office in order that discussion of the matter may be terminated.