793.94/7442: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 27—10:35 a.m.]
595. Foreign Office informed me today that they had sent a telegram to the British Chargé d’Affaires at Tokyo yesterday instructing him to request an interview with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and to point out to him that the British Government is greatly concerned at the conflicting and disturbing reports reaching London of Japanese activities aiming at administrative separation of North China. The British Government would welcome a frank statement of Japanese policy and assurances “that no action is being taken or intended at variance with the principles laid down in the Nine Power Treaty.”
I have talked with the Associated Press reporter, referred to in paragraph 2 of your 351, November 22, 2 p.m., and consider his story based more on inference than actual statements. There is, however, some foundation for belief here that Sir Frederick Leith-Ross may have on his own initiative used his influence in conversation with Chiang Kai-shek.