893.102 Tientsin/378: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 21—1:05 p.m.]
348. Our 342, July 19, midnight,10 British-Japanese negotiations on Tientsin.
- 1.
- We have been informed by the British Embassy that a formula was today agreed to by the Japanese Foreign Minister and the British Ambassador and has been submitted to London with the British Ambassador’s [Page 225] recommendation that it be approved for immediate release to the press simultaneously in London and Tokyo. The formula itself would not contain British reservation as to Great Britain retaining the final decision in the question whether or not any given act or measure falls within the scope of the military necessity, but the British Ambassador has recommended acceptance [by] his Government of a compromise proposal on this point put forward by the Foreign Minister in this morning’s conversation which is essentially an assertion that Great Britain affirms the right to question the inclusion of any given act or measure and the Foreign Minister recognizes that right.
- 2.
- From Japanese sources we are informed that the formula must pro forma be submitted for the approval of the Japanese Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning.
- 3.
- The Ambassador and the Foreign Minister agreed that, if the press release is approved and made, both Governments should exert themselves to minimize recrimination in the press.
- 4.
- If the formula is approved on both sides by tomorrow it appears that plenary sessions of the negotiations will commence Monday July 24 and will proceed with point 2 of the agenda.
- 5.
- Although a possible alternative was also accepted by the
Foreign Minister and the Ambassador for the final clause, the
proposed release as recommended by the Ambassador for his
Government’s approval is as follows:
“His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom fully recognize the actual situation in China where hostilities on a large scale are in progress and note that, as long as that state of affairs continues to exist, the Japanese forces in China have special requirements for the purpose of safeguarding their own security and maintaining public order in the regions under their control and that they have to suppress or remove any such acts or causes as will obstruct them or benefit their enemy. His Majesty’s Government have no intention of countenancing any acts or measures prejudicial to the attainment of the above-mentioned objects by the Japanese forces and they will take this opportunity to confirm their policy in this respect by making it plain to the British authorities and British nationals in China that they should refrain from such acts and measures.”
Repeated to Peiping for Chungking, Tientsin.
- Not printed.↩