893.102 Tientsin/252: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Dooman)
174. 1. The Department has reviewed with care the contents of your telegram no. 274, June 15, 5 p.m., and other telegrams giving [Page 198] estimates of various factors involved in the situation at Tientsin, especially the importance and significance of Japanese extremist military elements in formulating and directing Japanese policies in regard to that situation. The Department would appreciate receiving by telegraph your present estimate of the strength of those extremist elements and of the attitude of the authorities at Tokyo in regard to the situation at Tientsin. If that attitude is one of disapproval, the Department would find helpful your estimate of the probable degree of influence which those authorities are at present able to exercise toward an amelioration of that situation and the probable degree which they may be expected to exercise in the future.
2. The Department would like to be informed of the reaction in Japan to the Secretary’s statement which was reported to you in the Department’s telegram 167, June 19, 6 p.m., and, in this connection, desires to receive an expression of your opinion as to the advisability of this Government’s addressing at this time a note to the Japanese Government which would, through developing, expanding, and clarifying that statement, convey to the Japanese authorities in some detail the basis of this Government’s serious concern over the situation at Tientsin and its implications and potentialities pointing definitely toward the complete control and Manchurizing of China and stating that issue succinctly.
3. The Department has just received your 294, June 24, noon, and realizes that the information received therein would seem to throw some light, at least by implication, upon some of the points mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2. However, while appreciating the difficulties involved, the Department would find helpful an expression of your views on the points mentioned.