893.102 Tientsin/316: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:43 p.m.]
128. The secretary to the Mayor of Tientsin called on me this morning and inquired regarding the correctness of the report which has appeared in the Yung Pao that I was to act as mediator between the British and Japanese in their present difficulties and requested any information I could give him concerning the situation.
I replied that I had not been formally authorized to act as mediator or requested by either of the parties to mediate but at various times have indicated willingness to use my best efforts and good offices with a view to bringing about a settlement if desired and opportunity offered but that matters had not progressed beyond that point.
He referred to the communication sent by the Provisional Government to the British and French Embassies and by the Mayor of Tientsin to the British Consul General and the French Consul a few days ago (see my telegram No. 117, June 24, 11 a.m.91) and inquired whether I could give him any information regarding the reaction of the British and French authorities to this communication and whether there is any possibility of negotiations with a view to a local [settlement] of the present difficulty.
I replied that I was unable to give him any information in this connection but that I would mention his inquiry to my British and French colleagues and inform the Mayor in case either of them desired me to transmit any observations to the Mayor on their behalf if I felt that I could properly do so.
He stated that the Mayor was very eager to bring about negotiations [for] the settlement of the difficulties which are particularly harmful to the Chinese population. I replied that, of course, we are all very much concerned with the present difficult and critical situation, which may easily have serious consequences, and which in any event is causing great loss and inconvenience to all nationalities, and that I am very anxious to see something done toward a settlement. I added that if negotiations are to be begun or to have any chance of success it is very desirable that not only should no further onerous restrictions be imposed but that undoubtedly the possibilities of a settlement would be greater if the restrictions could be relaxed pending the result of negotiations. He stated that he would mention this to the Mayor who he was sure was also of this opinion and would make an effort in this.
[Page 205]I have informed both my British and French colleagues of this call but neither of them at present has anything which they desire to have communicated to the Mayor.
Today’s Yung Pao reported that on the 25th Wang Keh Min92 flew from Peiping to Tientsin for a conference with Mayor Wen regarding the situation here, returning the same day.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Shanghai, Tokyo.