793.94/2009 : Telegram The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State PEIPING, October 8, 1931-2 p.m. [Received October 8-6:45 a. m.] 728. Following from American Consul General at Nanking: "October 7, 5 p. m. A responsible official of the Chinese Government October 7,2 p. m., told me that the Government takes seriously a report which has reached it that the Japanese have in contemplation landing forces in and bombarding Nanking. He said that he told me this so I could make plans to protect myself from the trouble which would inevitably follow either action. He asks that I informally convey this warning to other consulates." Repeated to Tokyo. Has the Department any information as to the intentions of the Japanese Government in this respect? JOHNSON 793.94/2009 : Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson) WASHINGTON, October 8, 1931-5 p. m. 368. Your 728, October 8, 2 p. m., transmitting telegram from American Consul General, Nanking, October 7, 5 p. m. With reference to final paragraph, see final paragraph of Tokyo Embassy's No. 178, October 8, 5 p. m." The Japanese Ambassador here in conversation with the Under Secretary on October 7 said that it was unthinkable that Japan should do any such thing as bombard Nanking. The Department has no further authentic information. STIMSON 793.94/2010: Telegram The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State PEIPING, October 8, 1931-8 p. m. [Received October 8-6:45 a. m.] 729. Following information just received from [apparent omission] of Young Marshal's office: "Between 1 and 2:15 this p. m., 12 Japanese airplanes flew over Chinchow, new seat of the Chinese Provincial Government in Manchuria and dropped 36 bombs, chiefly directly [directed?] at the University buildings and house [of the?] Provincial Government. Buildings were damaged but casualties so far unknown. A bomb was dropped on service car number 141, killing two Chinese cleaners, and "Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931-1941, vol. I, p. 14. one was dropped on the locomotive sheds. Telegraph lines between Chinchow and Shanhaikwan interrupted." JOHNSON 793.94/2019: Telegram The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State PEIPING, October 9, 1931-9 a. m. [Received October 9-6:30 a. m.] 733. From Consul General at Mukden: "October 8, 8 p. m. Ten Japanese airships bombarded Chinchow this noon. Japanese Commander in Chief, General Hsu [Honjo], despatched scout planes to Chinchow this afternoon which dropped leaflet containing statement by him as commander which is virtual ultimatum to Chinchow Government. He states that Chinchow Government is creation of Chang Hsueh-liang which is conducting intrigues in Manchuria inimical to Japanese forces; that military operation again was necessary and that it was not directed against Chinese civilians." JOHNSON 793.94/2018: Telegram The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] PEIPING, October 9, 1931-10 a. m. [Received October 9-4:26 a. m.] 734. Your 362, October 5, 3 p. m. The Consul General at Nanking telegraphed on October 8, 1 p. m., that T. V. Soong was at Shanghai, but the Department's message was delivered orally and informally to Acting Foreign Minister Lee by Peck. Lee seemed somewhat reassured and stated that he would inform the special diplomatic commission, the members of which have responsibility and authority in this matter. Peck stressed to Lee the confidential nature of the message and added that popular anti-Japanese feeling was growing still more intense. JOHNSON 793.94/2027: Telegram The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State GENEVA, October 9, 1931—11 a. m. [Received 3:30 p. m.] 165. 1. This morning Sze showed me telegram from Nanking (a) concerning bombing of Chinchow by Japanese aeroplanes, (b) con cerning news from Chengchiatun that Japanese are arming Mongolians at Talingchen and at other points from supplies of Mukden arsenal and are inspiring a Mongolian independence movement. Sze will undoubtedly give the substance of this to the press. 2. Sze regards [Paraphrase.] as deliberately provocative these actions on the part of the Japanese military, and in this Drummond concurs. 3. Sherwood Eddy's 12 telegram from Tientsin also was shown me by Sze, reporting his presence at the capture of Mukden and including his testimony of Japanese endeavors to set up an independent regime in Manchuria under Japanese military control. Sze requested that this be considered strictly confidential, since he does not wish Eddy to be known as the source of this information. 4. This morning Sze has urged upon Drummond, in the light of the above, that the Council be called forthwith (see the League Covenant's article 11 and my 150, October 1, 9 a. m., paragraph 8 of the Council's resolution)-in other words, prior to October 14. Sze drew attention to the circumstance that the Japanese assurances to take no further action to aggravate the situation have not been fulfilled. He says Chinese public opinion is in such a state that it is essential for news of an early meeting of the Council to reach China as quickly as possible lest there be an outbreak against the Japanese. Sze is especially apprehensive of developments tomorrow during the Chinese national holiday. He declared also that the diplomatic language employed by the Council and by the powers is regarded by the Japanese military group as a weakness; he urged the use of stronger terms which would be understood by the Japanese military. 5. Drummond is hesitating between the necessity of quieting Chinese opinion through publishing an immediate summons of the Council and objections to calling the Council when there is at hand only conflicting information from Chinese and Japanese sources and no "neutral" information to serve in stabilizing the Council's action. He most earnestly desires to have in his hands as soon as possible your information on the actual situation in Manchuria. [End paraphrase.] GILBERT 793.94/2025: Telegram The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State GENEVA, October 9, 1931-noon. [Received 2:20 p. m.] 166. Consulate's number 165, October 9, 11 a. m. I have just returned from an interview with Drummond. 1. He is proposing to Lerroux the immediate despatch of identic telegrams to the Chinese and Japanese Governments reminding them of their engagements not to aggravate the situation. Because of recent developments this is essentially aimed at the Japanese. It is hoped however that its publicity will assist in quieting Chinese public opinion which is looking to the League to "do something" immediately. [Paraphrase.] 2. Drummond told me in confidence that as a result of developments which he considers most alarming, the Council probably will meet the evening of October 12 or the next morning. He believes the meeting will be on the earlier date. He reiterated that he most earnestly hoped you would have something at that time for him to present. It is his feeling that the tide in the whole affair might be turned if he had at hand "neutral" information to present to the Council when it reconvenes. [End paraphrase.] GILBERT 793.94/2014: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) WASHINGTON, October 9, 1931-2 p. m. 70. Your 163, October 8, 9 a. m.,13 Inform Drummond that I trust that he intends to advise calling the meeting of the Council. STIMSON 793.94/2091b: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson) WASHINGTON, October 9, 1931-2 p.m. 372. 1. Repeat to Peck Department's 367, October 7, 8 p. m.18 2. Inform Peck that the Secretary of State had a long conversation with the Chinese Chargé on October 8. The Secretary explained our attitude and policy and urged necessity for self-control on part of both the Japanese and the Chinese nations. He has repeatedly urged same on Japanese Ambassador. Repeat to Tokyo. "Not printed. STIMSON 793.94/2159 The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation 14 [NANKING,] October 9, 1931. Twelve Japanese aeroplanes yesterday attacked Chinchow on the Peking-Mukden line by dropping more than fifty bombs and firing machine guns, killing one Russian professor, one soldier and fourteen civilians, and wounding more than twenty people. There was considerable damage to the railway station, including the destruction of three locomotives, other damages being under investigation. The League circle has already been informed of this serious occurrence and is considerably alarmed. The Department's attention should be drawn to the fact that the provincial capital has been removed to Chinchow since the occupation of Shenyang (Mukden). 793.94/2026: Telegram The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State GENEVA, October 9, 1931-4 p. m. [Received October 9-4 p. m.] 167. Consulate's 166, October 9, noon. The following identic telegram has just been sent by Lerroux as President of the Council to Chinese and Japanese Governments: "Information received tends to show that incidents are taking place in Manchuria, and elsewhere, which cannot but embitter feeling and thus render settlement more difficult. In these circumstances and pending the meeting of the Council, I feel it is my duty as President of the Council to remind the two parties of the engagements taken before the Council to refrain from any action which would aggravate the situation, and to express the confident hope that steps are being taken on both sides to execute fully the assurances given to the Council and embodied in its resolution of the 30th September." 793.94/2017: Telegram GILBERT The Chargé in Japan (Neville) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, October 9, 1931-5 p. m. [Received October 9-7:24 a. m.] 179. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs told me today that owing to continued boycotting of Japanese goods and people it 34 Copy of telegram handed by the Chinese Chargé to the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs on October 9, 1931. |