793.94/1996: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
708. Following from American Consul General at Nanking:
“October 5, 11 p.m. Soong handed me a statement prepared by himself which he said he had shown to no one else. He asked that I telegraph it to you. Statement follows:
‘There is up to the present no indication that Japan intends immediately to withdraw her troops within the railway zone in accordance with her promises at Geneva. On the contrary, there are many signs, both in the statements issued in Japan by responsible statesmen, and in the troop movements on the spot, that she aims at keeping her troops in certain places outside the zone, under one excuse or another, as long as possible. It is clear that in doing so she is hoping that, by prolonging the period during which the Chinese police and military forces are prevented from assuming proper control, some incident will arise which will furnish a pretext for continuing, consolidating, and even extending her military occupation.
Even if Japan should desist from further acts of violence such as no government, however pacifically inclined, could leave unanswered, there is already heavy pressure on the Chinese Government, both from within and without, urging upon it the view that the friendly efforts of the powers have no effect upon the plans of the Japanese Government … At this juncture the demand for direct action against Japan is everywhere increasing. As an example, the boycott of Japanese goods, which is everywhere complete, is a direct result of popular feeling.
It has not been inspired by the Government; but no government which attempted to prevent it could remain in power for a day.
The situation is therefore one of appalling danger for the peace of the Far East. If it continues, it is absolutely certain that it must sooner or later involve consequences which will be fatal to peace, will destroy all order in China, and later possibly itself.
If Japan can be persuaded to keep in the letter and in the spirit the promises she has made, we still have hope that peace and order may be maintained. Given freedom from external provocation, the Chinese Government is resolved to maintain them and it is believed fully capable of doing so. All that it asks is that the United States Government may take the first steps which it may find possible in order to ensure the prompt and complete withdrawal of the Japanese troops.’”
- Telegram in three sections.↩