It has been pointed out to the Japanese Ambassador here that the longer the status of the case is left in doubt, the more opportunity there is for misunderstandings and inaccurate public statements. The Department is having difficulty, in the face of insistent inquiries on the part of the press, in restraining adverse comment and unfriendly criticism. If reports are true, there is a growing effort in some quarters in Japan to arouse sentiment on behalf of the sentry. This Government fears that unless in the very near future the Japanese Government is in a position to effect a fair and satisfactory adjustment of this case it is likely to become a chronic source of irritation to the detriment of American-Japanese relations.

Concretely, it is expected that the sentry will be punished and proper reparation made for Langdon's death and that effective steps will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in future.

COLBY

361.1123 L 25/37: Telegram

The Chargé in Japan (Bell) to the Secretary of State

TOKYO, February 21, 1921-7 p.m.

[Received February 21-5:50 p.m.] 74. My 66, February 14, 6 p.m.18 I have received following note dated today from the Minister for Foreign Affairs:

"Referring to my note of number 2 dated January 25 19 relative to the unfortunate incident which occurred at Vladivostok, I have the honor to state that the matter has since been subjected to the most thorough and exhaustive examination at the court martial held at Vladivostok according to which it has been established that the action of the sentry in question was entirely due to certain shortcomings in the orders he had received and he has therefore been acquitted according to the provisions of the military laws.

In consequence the Imperial military authorities have taken the following measures against his superior officers based on their having issued inaccurate orders:

1. Major General Nishihara general commanding the Japanese garrison in Vladivostok to be removed from the active list on account of his misinterpretation of the barrack-service regulations thus giving occasion for the recent grave occurrence. He is therefore deprived not only of the commandership of the garrison but of the honorable position of a brigade commander which he has hitherto held.

18 Not printed.

19

See telegram no. 38, Jan. 25, 1921, from the Chargé in Japan, p. 359.

2. Barrack officer (a major) to be subjected to the punishment of 'kinshin' (to be confined to his room and not to have any outside communication) for 30 days.

3. Assistant barrack officer (a lieutenant) to be subjected to 'kinshin' for 20 days.

4. Regimental commander to be subjected to 'kinshin' for 20 days.

5. Company commander to be subjected to 'kinshin' for 7 days.

The commander in chief of the Japanese expeditionary force paid a visit to the United States Steamship Albany and expressed to the commanding officer of the ship his sense of regret at the occurrence of the incident.

As regards preventive measures against any recurrence of a similar event in future, the Japanese command at once gave orders to the heads of the various troops at Vladivostok to exercise stricter care to prevent such events which fact was duly communicated by that command to the commanding officer of the United States Steamship Albany on the 20th ultimo.

In communicating the above to you for transmission to your Government I beg to request you to be so good as to convey to the American Government the expression of deep regret on the part of the Japanese Government at the occurrence of this sad event and I trust that the Government of the United States will fully appreciate the sincere spirit in which the Japanese Government have acted in dealing with this most unfortunate incident."

In handing me the above note the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs stated he wished to make it quite clear that his Government placed the entire blame for the unhappy affair on the sentry's superior officers for having issued improper orders. The sentry himself acted only as might have been expected under such orders and the punishment which has been inflicted upon him, 30 days imprisonment, was in the nature of a disciplinary measure because of his having made false statements to the court of inquiry and not for having shot Lieutenant Langdon. Vice Minister added the verbal assurances on behalf of his Government that General Nishihara would never receive another command in the Japanese Army. He said also that a question would probably be asked of the Minister of War regarding this affair at tomorrow's Diet session and if so the Minister would make a statement of the tenor of the above note.

Hanihara also vouched for [vouchsafed?] the information that Captain Richardson of the Albany has stated to the Japanese military authorities at Vladivostok that he personally considered the action of the Japanese authorities as satisfactory. I contented myself with observing that I found no mention in the note of rep

aration and intimated that my Government might have further views to communicate on this point.

From a telegram received this afternoon from Admiral Strauss 20 I learn that the Japanese officers confined to barracks are Major Ishikawa, Captain [Colonel] Horiuchi, Lieutenant Imoto and another captain name undecipherable.

BELL

20 Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss, U. S. N., commander in chief of the Asiatic Fleet, from February 1921.

LIBERIA

SIGNATURE AT WASHINGTON OF THE LOAN PLAN FOR THE REORGANIZATION OF LIBERIAN FINANCES'

882.51/1227: Telegram

The Minister in Liberia (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State

MONROVIA, January 8, 1921—8 a.m.

[Received January 9-4:51 a.m.]

1. Referring to Legation's 80, October 27, 11 a.m.,2 and 86, November 17, 11 [3] a.m.3 Note dated January 5th, 1921, from Liberian Secretary of State [states] that the Legislature of Liberia having granted the President authority to proceed to the United States with plenary powers to reach a definite agreement with the Government of the United States, [the mission] has been [reconstructed]. President King will replace Secretary of State Edwin Barclay but [with] Associate Justice F. E. R. Johnson and Honorable John L. Morris as other two members, and Gabriel L. Dennis has been added to the mission as its secretary.

Mission will sail from Monrovia on or about January 21st.*

Cable report being prepared relative to some extraordinary developments here in connection with American loan plan and decision of President to head mission to the United States. This report will be cabled at earliest possible moment.

JOHNSON

882.51/1808

Memorandum by the Third Assistant Secretary of State (Bliss)

[WASHINGTON,] April 1, 1921.

President King of Liberia, at his own request, called this morning at 11:30 and I talked with him at some length. I pointed out that the recent investigation instituted by the Senate regarding loans to European countries, which included the proposed loan to Liberia,

1

For previous correspondence concerning loan plan, see Foreign Relations, 1920, vol. III, pp. 49 ff.

2 Ibid., p. 100.

Ibid., p. 105.

*The mission left Monrovia for the United States Jan. 28 (file no. 882.51/1232).

and which investigation was initiated after the Liberian Commission had left Monrovia, had greatly complicated the question which brought President King to the United States; that the Treasury Department did not feel at this time justified in consummating the loan, even should a loan agreement plan be reached with the Commission. I further said that the State Department was actively engaged in the matter in an endeavor to reach a means of finding a method whereby it would be justified in beginning discussion with the Liberian Commission, but that it might be necessary to await the opening of Congress for submitting the question for the consideration of the Legislature. I also pointed out the disinterested desire of the American Government, as the nearest friend of Liberia, to be of every assistance to that country, because of our friendship for Liberia since its foundation and the desire to see the colored people succeed in the experiment which they had undertaken nearly a century ago. I expressed my personal regret that it had not been possible to enter immediately upon the arrival of the Commission into a discussion of the loan agreement and assured him that I was very much in hopes that the matter could be speedily adjusted as soon as the situation permitted of an exchange of views. President King said that he understood the situation and that while he too regretted it he was not unmindful of the difficulties which were presented, but that he was very much in hopes that it would be possible for the Commission and representatives of this Government to begin preliminary conversations with a view, if possible, of reaching a tentative agreement to be consummated without delay upon the loan being made available. He also asked to know whether the American Government would give its approval to Liberia making a loan with private banking and commercial interests in case the Government did not make the loan. To the first point I told him that it was a matter which would have to be given further consideration, and that his suggestion would have my earnest consideration, and that with regard to the second point it seemed unnecessary to cross that bridge until it had been reached, but that of course a private loan would depend for approval by the American Government on the persons who offered to advance Liberia any money.

He left with me a memorandum on various questions of detail concerning Liberia.

I talked with him regarding the climate of Liberia and had him. describe to me at length the visit to Monrovia during the war of the German submarine; and assured him on parting that I wished him to consider that he could come to me at any time to discuss matters informally and unofficially which interested him and Liberia. R[OBERT] W[OODS] B[LISS]