121.5493/150: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
84. Department yesterday released to the press portions of text of a telegram received from Peiping79 reporting presentation by American [Page 521] Embassy there to Japanese Embassy of three memoranda testifying to certain acts of Japanese military personnel in Peiping.80 Certain American newspapers published this morning stories sensational as to text and headlines indicating that Embassy had delivered “protests” and that Department was considering more emphatic follow-up. Department has informed Japanese Ambassador here of the simple and complete facts regarding all that has thus far been done on this case. There is no warrant for and no good purpose to be served by sensationalizing of the case. You may make any use that you see fit of this information.
- Department of State, Press Releases, June 27, 1936, p. 653.↩
- The acts consisted of rough treatment by Japanese military of American citizens in Peiping: an American officer in civilian clothes was pushed in the stomach with a bayonet by a Japanese sentry, an American woman was threatened with a saber for refusing to leave the sidewalk, and American property was violated by Japanese troops.↩