033.1100 Tinkham, George Holden/8: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 18—5:28 a.m.]
143. Department’s 77, September 18 [8], 8 p.m. Representative Tinkham will depart tomorrow by commercial plane for Chosen and Manchuria with the intention of proceeding by automobile from the Great Wall to Peiping. From the beginning the Embassy advised Tinkham against crossing Jehol and the Great Wall, but he said that he was traveling entirely in a private capacity and would assume the responsibility for all risks. Air transportation in Jehol in now by commercial plane so that military plane will not be used on any stage of the journey.
Tinkham has given me personal assurances that he will call on no officials of Manchukuo except insofar as may be necessary to reciprocate visits made by them. A projected interview with General Araki has been forestalled in view of possible undesirable publicity. Tinkham appreciates the possibilities that the purpose of his trip may be misinterpreted and he will endeavor so far as possible to avoid creating false impressions. Our conversations along this line were held on my own initiative and gave no indication whatever that the Department had expressed an opinion.
Repeated to Peiping.