793.94/5138: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 1—6:43 a.m.]
First Secretary of the Japanese Legation called on the British Minister this afternoon and gave us the following message from the Japanese Government:
“The Japanese Government desire to proceed with the negotiation of the agreement for the cessation of hostilities notwithstanding the Hongkew Park incident. But they reserve their liberty as to the measures which they may take as the result of the investigation into the incident”.
Commenting upon it the Secretary said, confidentially, that he personally felt we need not take the second sentence too seriously. It had been added merely because rumors had been reported to Tokyo that the incident was due to investigation [instigation?] of 19th Route Army.
Your 261 [161], April 30, 3 p.m.9 The representatives of the four participating powers will meet tomorrow noon.