793.94/8201: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Dickover)
126. 1. This morning the British Chargé called at the Department and left an aide-mémoire22 stating that the Chinese Government had informed the British Ambassador in China that recently the Japanese Ambassador had pressed for a general settlement of Sino-Japanese relations, the principal points in which would be the reduction of tariffs on specific articles of interest to Japanese trade, Chinese cooperation with Japan against communists throughout China, joint air service between Japan and Shanghai, the setting up of an area of economic cooperation throughout all of China, and the employment of Japanese advisers in Chinese Government departments. The aide-mémoire states that it is understood that the Chinese gave reasonable replies but that when the Chinese indicated that they regarded consideration of their own grievances essential to any general settlement the Japanese Ambassador broke off the interview. The aide-mémoire states that the British Ambassador at Tokyo has been instructed to express to the Japanese Government the concern of the British Government and the desire of the British Government to see Sino-Japanese relations established on a genuinely peaceful basis; also that the British Ambassador at Tokyo has been asked to submit to the British Foreign Office his views as to the arguments which might influence the Japanese attitude. The aide-mémoire states further that instructions had been issued to the British Ambassador in China to bring to the attention of the Chinese Government the danger which would be likely to result from any alarmist attacks on Japanese nationals in China, and to express the hope that if possible such developments will be prevented. The aide-mémoire concludes with the statement that [Page 322] the British Government intends to inform the Chinese Government that the British Government is urging moderation in Tokyo and to inform the Japanese Government of the diplomatic action taken in China.
2. In bringing this information to the attention of the Department, the British Government has not made any request that the American Government take similar action.
3. Please consult the British Ambassador and ascertain whether he has as yet approached the Japanese Government and, if so, the nature and form of his approach. Also ask the British Ambassador to be so good as to inform you of the substance of the views which he is submitting to his Foreign Office as to the arguments which might influence the Japanese attitude. An expression of the Embassy’s views on this subject would also be welcomed, together with an expression of the Embassy’s opinion whether an approach by this Government to the Japanese Government and to the Chinese Government at this time would serve any useful purpose.
4. Recalling the statement made to Ballantine by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs as reported in paragraph 2, first sentence, of your 193 of September 25, 6 p.m., you may wish to consider the advisability of Ballantine’s calling upon the Vice Minister, informally and as upon his own initiative and without reference to the British Government’s démarche, and inquiring whether the Vice Minister could comment upon the accuracy of press reports (which are approximately along the general line indicated in the first sentence of this telegram) with regard to recent developments in relations between Japan and China. Please bear in mind, however, that we leave entirely to your judgment and discretion whether such a call should be made.
5. Report promptly and completely by telegraph, repeating your telegrams to Peiping.
6. Repeat to Peiping with request that Ambassador Johnson cable the Department as soon as practicable his view as to whether an approach at this time by this Government to the Japanese and Chinese Governments would serve any useful purpose and, if his reply be in the affirmative, his suggestions as to the form and substance of such approach.
- Not printed.↩