793.94/3565: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Forbes) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 19—7:42 a.m.]
17. Mr. Yoshizawa received all chiefs of missions officially this afternoon and briefly discussed the prevalent newspaper comment here about the formation of an independent Chinese Government in Manchuria, which he repeated as wholly due to the initiative of resident Chinese officials. I asked how an independent government in Manchuria would square with Japanese repeated declarations respecting Chinese sovereignty. He replied that he had not had time to study this so as to state definitely what the position of the Japanese Government would be but that although Manchuria would remain Chinese soil, the government would be independent as had been the case under Chang Tso-lin and his son before his association with the Nanking authorities. He was particularly cordial in tone. Mr. Yoshizawa took occasion to speak in the highest terms of the part played by Ambassador Dawes in helping to bring about the form and adoption of the resolution of the League of Nations.
Repeated to Peiping.