893.102 Tientsin/471: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21—5:42 p.m.]
1205. My 1182, August 17, 8 p.m. When I saw Lord Halifax this afternoon he mentioned as I was leaving, the Tokyo situation since the presentation of the last British note to Japan on Chinese currency and silver.
He said that they are now preparing a further note to Japan in which will be suggested the following three alternatives: (1) that the Japanese call a conference in which Great Britain will be willing to participate of all the other countries interested by reason of treaty rights in the situation in China; or (2) that the Japanese should themselves sound out the other countries who are concerned in the matter of Chinese currency and silver and as a result of these consultations formulate proposals which Great Britain would be glad to consider; or (3) that if the Japanese wish Great Britain would undertake to make these consultations and as a result formulate further proposals to Japan.
Lord Halifax is not in the least optimistic that the Japanese will find any of these suggestions acceptable. He therefore looks for an increase of Japanese military insolence and aggression against British subjects and interests in China and a general worsening of the British situation in China. They naturally are considering what they will do here. They will try to get out as many women and children as possible, denounce the British commercial treaty with Japan,24 and consider what other economic reprisals they could take against Japan which would be effective.
- Treaty of Commerce and Navigation signed at London, April 3, 1911, British and Foreign State Papers, vol. civ, p. 159.↩