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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

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1931 Sept. 19

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Sept. 19 (606)

Memorandum by the Minister in China

Telephone conversation with Adviser to Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang of Manchuria, reporting firing by Japanese around and on Mukden the night of September 18; Adviser's information that Japanese military had got out of hand at Mukden and that Japanese Consul General was powerless to do anything.

From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.)

Information that Japanese newspapers published extras indicating a state of war between Japan and China, but that Foreign Office considers Mukden incident a minor clash between Japanese South Manchuria Railway guards and Chinese soldiers growing out of damage to a section of railway track; Japanese assurance that they are determined upon peaceful settlement.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that Japanese warship and two train loads of Japanese soldiers arrived at Yingkou in the morning and soldiers proceeded to occupy Kowpangtze; that communication from Mukden ceased at 3 a. m.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Confirmation by Wellington Koo of reported Japanese occupation of Mukden, and his suggestion of possible League action under various treaties or possible initiation by United States of discussions under the Nine-Power Treaty.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Account of Mukden incident as given by Counselor of Japanese Legation, who stated that Japanese occupation of the city was a precautionary measure and had no connection with other representations of the Japanese Government.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from Military Attaché's office that Japanese Military and Naval Attachés state occupation in Manchuria was due to killing of Japanese pickets by Chinese soldiers and to Nakamura case; that fighting has occurred and Chinese troops in Mukden vicinity have been disarmed.

From the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Information from Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs that Mukden occupation resulted from clash between South Manchuria Railway guards and Chinese soldiers; that a special Cabinet meeting had been held and orders issued to the commander in chief of the army in Manchuria to stop all further aggressive military operations.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Dairen: Telephone message from Mukden that
Japanese occupied Mukden at 1 a. m. and have also occupied
Changchun, Antung, and Newchwang.

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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

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1931 Sept. 19 (607)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden: Report by Japanese Consulate at Sano that South Manchuria Railway was cut 20 miles from Mukden by 400 Chinese troops, that 150 Japanese are engaging Chinese; information that Chinese have requested Japanese to cease firing, and that Japanese have blocked railway settlement to all, including foreigners.

Undated Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Current Information of the Press Conference on September 19, 1981 Secretary's affirmation that news received by the Department confirmed press despatches concerning Mukden, that the incident was apparently a clash of subordinates of Governments, and that, as the two Governments are so far not involved, the provisions of the Kellogg Pact or other treaties do not apply.

Sept. 20 (608)

Sept. 20 (609)

Sept. 20 (116)

Sept. 20 (446)

Sept. 21 (148)

Sept. 21 (616)

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden, September 19: Report that all Americans are safe although Japanese fired on Chinese in International Settlement, which they now occupy; assurances of Japanese Consulate General that chance of immediate trouble had practically passed.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that Commandant of Japanese Legation Guard in Peiping approached Commandant of American Guard concerning a general plan of defense of foreigners in case of attack; American Commandant's reply that present situation, involving only Japanese, would not warrant invoking of a general plan.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Report of brief statements by Japanese and Chinese delegates before the League Council concerning the Mukden affair, neither delegate requesting action; conversation with Chinese delegate revealing Chinese preference for action under FourPower Pacific Treaty or Kellogg Pact rather than League action, in view of Japan's stronger position in the League. From the Vice Consul at Mukden to the Minister in China Summary of events in the Mukden incident; disbelief that explosion on the South Manchuria Railway caused the occupation or that Japanese consular officials give credence to this explanation by the military.

From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Request for facts concerning clash in Manchuria and for opinion on involvement of Kellogg Pact for guidance of the Secretary General of the League of Nations.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Reuter report from Nanking, September 20: Second formal demand by Chinese for withdrawal of Japanese troops; declaration by Čentral Executive Committee of September 23 as national_humiliation day.

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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

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1931 Sept. 21 (617)

Sept. 21

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Subject

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from Japanese Military Attaché that Japanese subjects in Harbin and Kirin are endangered and that General Honjo has ordered Japanese troops to proceed there; his denial that Kowpangtze and Hulutao have been occupied.

(Repeated to Tokyo.)

From the Chinese Chargé

Account of Japanese occupation of Chinese territory in
Manchuria and appeal to the United States for the preserva-
tion of peace in the Far East under the principles of the Kellogg
Pact.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Note from the representative of China to the Secretary General of the League of Nations (text printed), requesting action on Manchuria affair by the League Council under article 11 of the Covenant.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Mukden, September 21: Report that main body of
Japanese troops is now at Changchun and occupation is being
extended to Kirin; that Chinese are fleeing to Shanhaikwan.
To the Minister in Switzerland, at Geneva (tel.)

Information for Drummond, Secretary General of League,
that facts are insufficient but that Japanese military move-
ment is apparently aggressive with careful preparation and
strategic goal; concern of Department over developments in
light of treaty obligations.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Nanking, September 21: Report of rumors that the
Secretary stated that the Kellogg Pact was not involved, that
Japan had consent of important powers before acting in
Manchuria, that Russia has troops near Manchouli; informa-
tion that Russia has no intention of safeguarding interests in
Manchuria by force.

From the Consul ar Geneva (tel.)

Account of League Council meeting at which Sino-Japanese conflict was taken up; suggestion by British representative that the United States, in view of its interest in international instruments of peace, be fully informed of the action of the Council and be enabled to take any action it thinks right in this connection.

From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Departure of Japanese Ambassador, September 26, to prepare for Disarmament Conference; his information that Chinese have superior forces in Manchuria, and that both Governments are attempting to end the conflict.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Resolution of the League of Nations Council (text printed) (1) to appeal to China and Japan to abstain from any act which might aggravate Manchurian situation, (2) to seek in consultation with the two Governments means for withdrawal of troops, and (3) to forward to the United States, minutes of the Council and other documents.

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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

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1931

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Sept. 22

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From the British Embassy
Information of the Chinese Government's appeal to the
League and of French and British proposal for the withdrawal
of troops from Manchuria, preparatory to direct negotiations.
To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)

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Denial of rumors current in Nanking concerning U. S. statements and action.

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To the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Quotation of Department's statement to the press regarding Manchurian affair; information that Department's attitude toward application of treaties is noncommittal.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Substance of Chinese-Japanese discussions before the League Council concerning the settlement of the controversy over Manchuria by direct negotiations; Sze's_contention that the dispute was within the competence of the League as Japan had already resorted to other than diplomatic measures. From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Further discussions before the Council: Chinese request that the Council send a commission of inquiry to the spot; statement by the Japanese delegate that he was still waiting for further instructions; decision of the Council to carry out resolution quoted in telegram No. 123, September 22.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Discussion, at an informal meeting of a group of Council members, of question of an investigation commission and of an invitation to the United States to participate; Japanese representative's request to query his Government.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Text of identic telegrams dispatched by the President of the Council to China and Japan in the light of the Council's earlier resolution.

From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Request from Drummond to ascertain if United States will cooperate in sending an investigating body to Manchuria, or in identic or similar notes to Japan and China; impression in the Council of urgency of the situation.

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Sept. 22

From the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the
Chinese Legation

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Sept. 23 (129)

Sept. 23 (631)

Chinese denial of Japanese acceptance of proposal for joint investigating committee, asserting that Chinese Government has never made such a proposal.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Aspects of difficult position of Japanese representative on the Council; reluctance of China to admit a state of war; expression by representatives of world powers that their governments look to United States as chief hope.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

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From Harbin, September 22: Evacuation of Kirin city by
Chinese troops, and occupation by Japanese troops,

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

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1931 Sept. 23

From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

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Suggestions by Drummond for U. S. measures of cooperation: (1) An American to sit on the League Council, and (2) definite appointment of a regular "Council Committee" with a U. S. representative.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Organization of civil governments for Mukden and other occupied cities with Japanese control and Chinese subordinates; disinclination of Chinese to cooperate. Intention of Japanese not to occupy Taonan or Hsingan areas for the present.

From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)

Report of telegrams received by the Chinese delegates regarding increasing tenseness of the situation; Council's receipt of information from Chinese Government that it is not negotiating with Japan.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Reuter report from Nanking, September 22: Plans for evacuation of Japanese women and children from Nanking; statement by Chiang Kai-shek that if the League fails to uphold justice, the National Government will fight.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harbin, September 22: Reports of attacks on Japanese property by unknown person, of increasing feeling among the Chinese against supposed Russian attitude, and of Chinese preparation for withdrawal of troops in case Japanese troops come to Harbin.

From the Chargé in Japan (tel.)

Interview with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning (1) Japanese troops in Manchuria and intentions of withdrawal; (2) proposed commission to investigate points at issue. Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation

Between the Secretary, Norman H. Davis, and Hugh R. Wilson: Davis' opinion that a U. S. representative on the League Council would help compose the situation; Secretary's disapproval of the character of the investigating committee and belief that the United States cannot authorize a representative to sit on the committee.

To the Minister in Switzerland, at Geneva (tel.)

U. S. reply to League resolution (text printed). Sympathy of the United States with attitude of the League but fear that an outside investigation committee would inflame Japan's nationalistic spirit behind the military; Secretary's suggestion that the United States (1) urge direct negotiations between China and Japan, or (2) favor submittal by both nations to the machinery of the League Covenant, or (3) consider action under the Nine-Power Treaty or the Kellogg Pact.

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