793.94/8139: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—6:30 a.m.]
445. The following telegram has been received from the Consul General at Shanghai.
“September 11, 4 p.m. Japanese news agency Domei reports that at conference convened by Japanese Ambassador yesterday afternoon at which the Commander of the Third Fleet and Japanese Military [Page 292] and Naval Attachés were present a decision was reached to the effect that ‘should the Nanking Government lack the authority to facilitate the investigation by Japanese officials of the Pakhoi mob murder of Mr. Nakano the Japanese authorities on the spot should take whatever measures that are considered appropriate to perform their task’.
Confirmation of the above has been obtained from reliable source.
Unconfirmed reports from fairly reliable sources indicate that should Nanking fail to take immediate and effective steps to suppress anti-Japanese activities the Japanese Government will take action and will deal with local authorities rather than with Central Government.
Repeated to Nanking, by mail. By mail to Tokyo.”