THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Oct. 31 (270) Oct. 31 (60) Subject From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Note from the President of the Council to Yoshizawa (text printed) in reply to Japanese declaration of October 26, indicating confidence that as China has given pledges covering the various fundamental principles raised by Japan, the latter will proceed with the withdrawal of troops and the appointment of representatives to carry out details of the evacuation. To the Ambassador in Peru (tel.) Page 345 347 Advice that the Department prefers to refrain from commitment on the appointment of observers until action has been taken by League members. Oct. 31 (124) To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 347 Information that British Minister in China has instructions to hold representatives in readiness to proceed to Manchuria as observers, and instructions to inform Department of further action by that or other governments. Nov. 1 (849) From the Minister in China (tel.) 348 From Mukden: Removal by Japanese armed guard of Salt Nov. 1 (271) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 348 Letter from Sze to Drummond (substance printed) citing Chinese concern over Japanese efforts to incite so-called independence movements in Manchuria. Nov. 1 (11) Nov. 2 From the Ambassador in Turkey (tel.) 349 Information that on October 21 the Turkish Government sent identic telegrams invoking the Kellogg Pact. From the Minister in China (tel.) 349 Nov. 2 (273) Nov. 2 (859) Nov. 2 (92) Request from the Acting Foreign Minister that U. S. representatives be designated in accordance with League resolution. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Drummond's receipt of a communication stating that Chinese were dispatching troops to occupy evacuated areas and neutral observers were considered essential; Drummond's reply that October 24 resolution is not binding, as it was not passed unanimously, and Chinese should proceed with prudence. From the Minister in China (tel.) Suggestion by Wellington Koo that should the United States contemplate action similar to the British, early announcement of such decision would be helpful. From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) Announcement by the Foreign Ministry of a Commission, with Wellington Koo as Chairman, to negotiate in connection with the reoccupation of Manchuria, as provided by League resolution of October 24; Chinese desire to know if United States intends to appoint observers. 350 350 351 THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Nov. 2 Nov. 2 (274) Nov. 2 Nov. 3 (93) Nov. 3 (276) Nov. 3 Nov. 3 (862) Nov. 3 (863) Subject Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State Inquiry from British Ambassador as to U. S. approval of League action; Under Secretary's concurrence with Ambassador's observation that including the date of withdrawal in the resolution was unfortunate. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Conversation with Drummond, who reviewed the situation in the light of the lack of juridical force of October 24 resolution, and observed that if the United States could induce Japan to agree to the conversations concerning evacuation, it would be helpful. Memorandum by the Minister in China Conversation with Dr. C. C. Wu, who outlined developments in negotiations between Nanking and Cantonese delegates; Minister's assurances that U. S. policy was one of non-interference in domestic questions. From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) Inquiry by the Acting Foreign Minister as to accuracy of remarks attributed to the Under Secretary concerning permanent Japanese occupation of Manchuria and disapproval of League resolution. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Conversation between Drummond and Sze, the latter presenting note from Chinese Government and accompanying memorandum (texts printed) outlining Japanese actions not in accord with their pledges. From the Minister in China (tel.) Request by T. V. Soong that Department influence the From the Minister in China (tel.) Report from Mukden that Antung electric plant remains closed, preventing American company's collection of monthly payments on equipment supplied; explanation of Japanese military that their action was and is a military necessity. From the Minister in China (tel.) 362 Report of closing of other Chinese electric plants in Manchuria, with the indication that Japanese plan a monopoly of electric power. Nov. 3 (106) To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) 362 Clarification of Under Secretary's remarks, in reply to inquiry in telegram No. 93, November 3. Nov. 4 (867) From the Minister in China (tel.) 363 From Harbin and from Mukden: Report of military activities around Tsitsihar and ultimatum to Chinese to withdraw from Nonni River. THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Nov. 4 (868) Nov. 4 Nov. 4 (870) Nov. 4 (204) Subject From the Minister in China (tel.) From Mukden: Report from Japanese military that radio station has been restored to working order and Japanese Consulate General will be advised of particulars regarding operation. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Nanking: Note from the Acting Foreign Minister to the American Minister (text printed) advising of the organization of a commission for the evacuation, and inviting the U. S. Government to appoint its representatives. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Harbin: Report of Japanese intentions to repair bridges on the Nonni River, and of Chinese intentions to prevent clashes between Japanese and Chinese troops if possible. From the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Advice from Vice Foreign Minister that his Government is preparing a statement for the League Council meeting, November 16. Opinion that United States should not associate itself with League resolution, as Japanese public believes other powers put through the resolution with the intent to damage Japan's interests in China. Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the Japanese Ambassador, November 4, 1931 Advice by the Secretary that United States is making representations to Tokyo regarding Japan's refusal to evacuate until she has concluded negotiations on long-standing controversies, many of them unrelated to present situation in Manchuria. Ambassador's version of Japanese occupation of Tsitsihar. Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the French Ambassador, November 4, 1931 Nov. 4 (218) Nov. 5 (873) Presentation to the French Ambassador of an aide-mémoire (text printed) of U. S. representations to Japan, showing U. S. concurrence in Council action and pointing out that negotiations brought about by military pressure are treaty violations; suggestion that, if necessary, Briand might suggest the use of neutral observers in negotiations as compromise measure. To the Chargé in Japan (tel.) Instructions that Department's representations should be delivered as soon as possible, not as a note, but as a memorandum, and should be read to the Foreign Minister prior to being handed to him. Page 364 364 365 366 367 368 371 From the Minister in China (tel.) 371 From Harbin: Lack of evidence of Russian aid to Chinese at Tsitsihar, and opinion that reports of such aid are Japanese propaganda; information of clashes near Tsitsihar. THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Subject Page Nov. 5 (278) Undated (Rec'd Nov. 5) (99) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Communication from Sawada to Drummond (text printed) citing Chinese request to Japan for settlement of details of evacuation in accordance with resolution of October 24, and Japanese reply that the resolution was not adopted, but that Japan is ready to negotiate an agreement on fundamental principles and on the withdrawal of troops. From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.) Statement by the Foreign Office of Chinese reply (text printed) to Japanese note of October 31, inviting Japan to nominate representatives for the evacuation commission and indicating willingness to negotiate on questions of fundamental principles, but reiterating that before the completion of evacuation, negotiations must concern only evacuation and reoccupation. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 372 373 Nov. 5 (279) 373 Communication from Sze to Drummond enclosing cablegram from Nanking (texts printed) concerning Japanese seizure of salt revenue. Nov. 5 (206) From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) 375 Notification of delivery of Department's memorandum to the Foreign Office. 375 Undated Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan of a Conversation With the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, November 5, 1931 Delivery to Shidehara of the memorandum of November 3; Shidehara's résumé of Japan's attitude toward China and of the five points which Japan insisted should be settled before withdrawal of troops. From the Minister in China (tel.) Nov. 5 (874) 380 Opinion of Dr. Wellington Koo that his commission is acceptable to Japan, and his intimation that it might have to deal with problems more serious than those for which it was appointed. 380 Nov. 5 (280) Nov. 5 (126) Nov. 5 (409) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Information that Briand has given publicity to his note to Yoshizawa (contained in telegram No. 270, October 31, from the Consul at Geneva) in view of Japanese delay in replying. To the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Transmittal of Department's memorandum of November 3 to Japan and of background explanation, with instructions to inform Drummond; suggestion that Drummond inform Council members only that United States has made representations supporting Council's position relative to evacuation. To the Minister in China (tel.) Instructions to inform Acting Foreign Minister, if necessary, that Department is noncommittal on the question of observers and prefers not to initiate action; information that Chinese have been advised by League officials to exercise prudence, as October 24 resolution lacks binding force. 381 382 THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS OCCUPATION OF MANCHURIA BY JAPAN, BEGINNING OF JAPANESE MILITARY AGGRESSION, AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS TO PRESERVE PEACE-Continued Date and number 1931 Nov. 5 (410) To the Minister in China (tel.) 382 Instructions to secure from Mukden the particulars concerning the plan for operation of the radio. Nov. 6 (877) From the Minister in China (tel.) 382 From Harbin: Report of Japanese crossing of Nonni River and ensuing clash with Tsitsihar troops. From the Minister in China (tel.) 383 Nov. 6 (878) Nov. 6 (282) From Mukden: Message released by Japanese headquarters (substance printed) regarding the fighting at Nonni River. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Receipt from Drummond of copy of a memorandum by the Undated Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State of a Conversation Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation With the French Ambassador, November 6, 1931 Inquiry by the Ambassador as to the outcome of U. S. 384 385 385 Nov. 6 386 Information from Paris that, in compliance with October 24 resolution, the French Minister in China has been instructed to inform Chinese Government of readiness of French representatives when their presence is required. Nov. 6 (284) From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) 387 Nov. 7 (285) Nov. 7 (883) Information that Drummond has received a note from Sze commenting on Japanese reply to identic telegrams sent from Geneva invoking the Kellogg Pact. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) Report of informing Drummond of Department's representations to Japan and of his satisfaction; Drummond's observations concerning pro-Japanese feeling in France and fear that Briand is not receiving accurate information as to Department's position; suggestion that clarification of the American position for London and Paris through the Embassies might be considered. From the Minister in China (tel.) 387 390 From Mukden: Further report of engagement at Nonni |