793.94/6304: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, May 22, 1933—7
p.m.
[Received May 22—10:20 a.m.]
[Received May 22—10:20 a.m.]
474. My 469, May 22, 2 p.m.
- 1.
- I have just seen my British and French colleagues. Lampson informed us that this morning Vice Minister Liu50 called upon him and discussed present situation. Liu stated that Huang Fu had not had any discussions with the Japanese. He said that acting on the authority of the Minister of War he had come to say that the Chinese pursuant to recent statement by General Muto, had withdrawn their forces to the line mentioned in my telegram above referred to, but that Japanese continued to press forward and that Japanese occupation of Peiping and Tientsin was imminent. Liu stated that they would resist if Japanese approached Peiping. He asked whether Lampson would be willing to act as go-between. Lampson said yes provided Chinese put request in writing and spoke as one man, and also suggested that Chinese draw up formula which would be acceptable to the Chinese. Liu asked whether Lampson thought Japanese would be receptive. Lampson undertook to find out. Liu suggested that inquiry as to Japanese attitude should be made at Tokyo and not here at Peiping where no responsible Japanese was present. Lampson has repeated this to Tokyo with the suggestion that the British Chargé d’Affaires at Tokyo sound Japanese provided London approves. We discussed present situation. We agreed that there was no occasion at present for us to take any action vis-à-vis our local communities. We can only watch situation and be prepared to take action should that become necessary.
- 3.
- We discussed question of Legation guards. We agreed that it would be impossible for us to force neutrality of diplomatic quarter. We are without information as to intentions of local Japanese guard and feel that it would be inadvisable here or at Tokyo to make inquiries. Guard is independent of diplomatic secretary now in charge of the Japanese Legation.
Repeated to Tokyo.
Johnson
- Liu Chuag-chieh.↩