Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/8777

The British Embassy to the Department of State⁸⁷

undated

(1) Chinese Ambassador has again asked British Government to offer their good offices. He says that French, United States, and Soviet Governments have also been asked.

(2) French Ambassador says his Government is agreed in principle to urge moderation on both sides. French representatives at Nanking and Tokyo are ready to cooperate.

(3) State Department knows already that Japanese Ambassador has been told that Anglo-Japanese conversations would be inopportune during present situation. We hope Ambassador has informed his Government accordingly.

(4) Mr. Eden is disturbed at news of Japanese troop movements. He feels it would be foolish to ignore altogether repeated Chinese warnings that they would have to resist further Japanese encroachments. Maybe the Japanese Government has not planned an aggression, but the situation may get out of hand and result in a clash on a large scale.

(5) Mr. Eden has been considering whether it might not be advisable to express our appreciation to Japanese at reports of large reenforcements. Of course the Japanese are judges of measures necessary for their own security, though it seems to us that their forces on the spot must be sufficient to maintain the position until recent unhappy incidents can be cleared up and a satisfactory settlement reached. Mr. Eden would be inclined to say also that he was also using his influence at Nanking to persuade the Chinese Government to do nothing to make things worse. If in the course of any negotiations for the settlement of the whole dispute, British Government could be of any help they would gladly listen to any suggestions the Japanese Government might make.

(6) Mr. Eden would simultaneously instruct his representative at Nanking to inform Chinese that we are urging restraint at Tokyo; to beg them to do nothing to make things more difficult. He would say that mediation cannot usefully be attempted unless both sides desire it, and that without further exchange of views with Japan we cannot say if there is a method of assisting towards a settlement.

(7) What are Secretary of State’s reaction to above? Would he be disposed to instruct his men at Nanking and Tokyo to cooperate on these lines?

87. Handed by the British Ambassador on July 13 to the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs.