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

Subject

Page

1931 Nov. 7

(287)

390

Nov. 7

(884)

391

392

Nov. 7

(885)

Nov. 8

(888)

393

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Information that Sugimura is attempting, on his own autho-
rity, to bring about parallel negotiations covering (1) evacua-
tion and (2) the Japanese five points, reserving parts not relat-
ing to security pending the completion of evacuation.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harbin: Further report of the fighting near Tsitsihar,
with Chao Chung-jen's version (substance printed), and of
Japanese troop movements; opinion of Japanese Consul General
that Chinese are receiving Soviet aid.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Conclusion of Nonni River conflict by with-
drawal of Chinese, and Japanese strengthening of position.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harbin: Retreat of General Ma's troops; opinion that
Japanese intend to set up their own government at Tsitsihar.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Proclamation by the Local Peace Mainte-
nance Committee that it is functioning as Provincial Govern-
ment and has no connection with Nanking or Marshal Chang.
From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Information that Yoshizawa adopted Sugimura's proposal
(outlined in telegram No. 287, November 7) as his own and
telegraphed it to Tokyo.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang and Welling-
ton Koo of serious fighting in Tientsin, and their opinion that
Japanese are provoking situation to bring about coup; their
request for impartial investigation by principal consular
officers at Tientsin.
From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

393

Nov. 9

(889)

Nov. 9

(288)

394

394

Nov. 9

(892)

395

Nov. 9

(289)

Premplacemento en el keeping Department informed

Nov. 9

396

with respect to communiqués issued by Secretary General
and by the Chinese and Japanese.

(Footnote: Department's approval.)
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Request for authorization to communicate to the Acting
Foreign Minister the substance of Department's representations
to Japan.
From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Receipt from Drummond of note addressed by Briand to
the Japanese representative (text printed)respecting the seizure
of salt revenues, pointing out that this action is incompatible
with Japan's commitments before the Council, and requesting
pertinent information.

396

Nov. 9

(290)

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

Subject

Page

397

399

401

402

402

1931
Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)
(292) Conversation with Drummond concerning Japanese reply

(text printed) to Briand's letter of October 29, reiterating
Japan's intent to comply with September 30 resolution and
suggesting that China may be contemplating questioning the
validity of some treaties with Japan. Drummond's opinion
that Japanese are not within the September 30 resolution in
their protests, that they have violated treaties; also that pub-

lication of U. S. representations to Japan might be helpful.
Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)
(293) Information from Drummond that November 16 Council

meeting will take place in Paris, and his desire, based upon
certain points of policy (substance printed), that U. S. repre-

sentation be continued.
· Nov. 9 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(893) From Tientsin: Report of firing in or near the Japanese

Concession and of uneasiness as to possible repercussions. Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) (294)

Receipt from Drummond of identic telegram (text printed) sent to Tokyo and Nanking in the name of the President of

the Council concerning armed conflict in Manchuria. Nov. 9 From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.)

Report of the clash between Chinese police and plain-clothes

men outside the Japanese Concession.
Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)
(295) Receipt from Drummond of Japanese Government's tele-

gram (text printed) concerning Nonni River incident, explain-
ing that Japanese troops had ceased to advance northward
and their presence in the vicinity was solely for the protection

of the bridge repair work.
Nov. 9 To the Minister in China (tel.)
(411) Instructions to request Consul General at Tientsin to col-

laborate with Colonel Taylor and report regarding the fighting;
also to authorize him to participate in consular body investiga-
tion, if one is undertaken, but not to take the initiative in such

action.
Nov. 9 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(530) Instructions to communicate to Briand, personally if pos-

sible, Department's position relative to U. 8. representations

to Japan. Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) (297) Receipt from Drummond of Japanese communication (text

printed) giving information of the withdrawal of a number of

Japanese troops. Nov. 9 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) (298) Transmittal of telegram from Tokyo (text printed) denying

the alleged seizure of salt revenues.

403

404

404

406

406

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

Subject

Page

407

414

414

415

417

1931 Nov. 10 Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary and Dawes: Secretary's instructions for Dawes to plan to attend the Council meeting in Paris, not to sit in on the meetings but to confer with other representatives on matters in which the United States is interested; explanation of Department's attitude and desire to bring about

some solution so long as it is done by pacific means. Nov. 10 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) (299) Transmission of report by Associate Chief Inspector of Salt

Revenues (text printed) citing further seizure of salt revenues

by the Japanese. Nov. 10 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) (322) Information concerning G. Howland Shaw's role in Paris;

instructions to have Gilbert proceed to Paris, if it is deemed

advisable, after the meeting has begun.
Nov. 10 Prom the Minister in China (tel.)
(903) From Harbin: Report of clash between the Japanese and

Chinese, the latter being driven back to Sanchienfang, in the
direction of Tsitsihar; opinion that this engagement is the most

serious since September 18.
Nov. 10 From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.)

Report of strict martial law and suspension of practically all business in Chinese city and Japanese Concession; statement by Japanese commander that trouble was due to Chinese pol

itics which resulted in orders to protect Japanese Concession. Nov, 10 Memorandum by the Secretary of State

Conversation with the Japanese Ambassador, who was informed that Dawes would be in Paris to confer with the representatives of other nations; discussion of the "fundamental

principles.” Nov. 10 From the Minister in China (tel.) (904) From Harbin: Report of quiet near Tsitsihar and Japanese

ultimatum to General Ma to hand over government to Chang

Hai-peng. Nov. 10 To the Chargé in France (tel.) (534) Instructions to inform Briand that the United States will be

prepared to send observers to Manchuria if and when Chinese

and Japanese agree on arrangements. Nov. 11 From the Minister in China (tel.)

Receipt from Acting Foreign Minister of telegram (text printed) requesting U. 8. representatives to investigate events

at Tientsin. Request for instructions. Nov. 11 To the Consul General at Shanghai (tel.)

Advice that Department prefers to have the Chinese Government receive information of U. S. representations to Japan

through the Chinese member on the Council. Nov. 11 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) (327) Announcement (text printed) that Dawes will be in Paris

during the meeting of the Council.

417

419

420

421

421

422

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

Subject

Page

422

423

426

427

429

429

1931 Undated Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State of a Conversation

With the Counselor of the French Embassy, November 11,

1931
Advice from the Counselor that Briand's attitude toward
the Manchurian matter is similar to the Department's; Under
Secretary's observation that as France, Great Britain, and
United States have military attachés in the Nonni River region,

other observers seem unnecessary.
Nov. 11 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)
(328) Outline of Department's attitude and information that new

Japanese memorandum appears to exclude a Japanese attempt
to force a solution of issues not germane to troop withdrawal,
but fear that Japan will renew at Paris its demands for settle-

ment of long-standing questions.
Nov. 11 From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)
(434)

Conversations with Matsudaira and Simon, the latter suggesting that the immediate objective ought to be an armistice,

that the time limit on Japanese troop withdrawal was unwise. Nov. 11 From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.)

Report of inquiry into causes of trouble at Tientsin. Nov. 11 From the Chargé in France (tel.) (724) Information that instructions in Department's telegram

No. 530, November 9, have been carried out. Nov. 12 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.) (302) Receipt from Drummond of telegram dispatched to Tokyo

and Nanking (text printed) at Briand's request, reminding

Governments to refrain from aggravating the situation.
Nov. 12 To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)
(109) Instructions to inform Acting Foreign Minister that, prior

to his request, Department had authorized its representatives
to report on occurrences at Tientsin; advice that Department

perceives no special need for sending Military Attaché there.
Nov. 12 From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)
(215) Information from Shidehara that Japan is prepared to with-

draw troops upon creation of satisfactory policing or upon ac

ceptance of the five points. Nov. 12 To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) (224) Authorization for Military Attaché to visit Manchuria pro

vided those of leading powers do also. Nov. 12 From the Secretary to President Hoover to the Secretary of State

Transmittal of a memorandum by President Hoover (text

printed) containing certain suggestions for Dawes. Nov. 13 To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) (226) Instructions not to imply approval of the Japanese proposals

indicated in Ambassador's telegram No. 215, November 12.
Nov. 13 To the Chargé in France (tel.)
(545) For Dawes: Transmittal of Ambassador Forbes' telegram

No. 215, November 12, with instructions that a noncommittal
attitude should be assumed toward any such Japanese pro-
posals at Paris.

429

430

431

431

432

432

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

Subject

Page

433

434

434

435

435

436

1931 Nov. 13 From the Minister in China (tel.) (925) From Mukden: Denial by Japanese Consul General of

rumors that Pu-yi will be made emperor, and his opinion that

troops will not be withdrawn by November 16.
Nov. 13 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(926) From Harbin: Japanese bombing of Sanchienfang; safety of

American missionaries at Tsitsihar.
Nov. 13 From the Consul General at Tienisin (tel.)

Report that tension is somewhat relaxed; that two Japanese

destroyers are at Tangku.
Nov. 13 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(927) From Mukden: Assertion that Japanese expect to obtain

technical information through U. S. Consulate General for
operation of the radio station, and that they have made no

effort to place the station under Chinese control. Nov. 13 From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.)

Press reports that Pu-yi has been taken to Dairen by

Japanese; information of British that he was taken to Mukden. Nov. 14 From the Minister in China (tel.) (933) Report that Japanese have officially demanded withdrawal

of Chinese troops to about 6 miles from Tien tsin, under pro

visional note of July 15, 1902. Nov. 14 From the Minister in China (tel.)

Transmittal of identic telegram (text printed) being sent by
British, French, and American Ministers, of interview with
Chiang Kai-shek, who cited the situations at Tientsin and

Tsitsihar and requested joint investigation and report.
Nov. 14 From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)
(217) Information in reply to Department's telegram No. 226,

November 13, that Ambassador has carefully refrained from
making any statement that might be construed as indicating

U. S. attitude on new Japanese position.
Nov. 14 From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)
(307)

Letter from Sze to Drummond (text printed) setting forth

the gravity of the situation at Tien tsin.
Nov. 14 From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)
(108) Receipt from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of (1) plans

for taking over occupied places in Manchuria; (2) regulations
for the organization of the commission; (3) list of members

of commission.
Nov. 14 From the Consul General at Tientsin (tel.)

Report of the improvement in the situation, Nov. 14 Prom the Minister in China (tel.) (936) Information that now General Honjo demands to occupy

railway station of Tsitsihar itself.

436

437

437

438

439

440