893.102S/2184: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, August 15, 1940—6
p.m.
[Received August 15—12:23 p.m.]
[Received August 15—12:23 p.m.]
701. Department’s 362, August 13, 3 p.m., to Shanghai. Our 700, August 15, 1 p.m.22 British Defense Sector, Shanghai.
- 1.
- In order to avoid publicity and also any impression of diplomatic intervention, I requested Crocker23 to leave with the Foreign Office as coming from me to the Minister for Foreign Affairs an oral statement based upon the Department’s instructions.
- 2.
- Crocker was called back to the Foreign Office later today and it was explained to him that the Japanese Government was displeased with the fact that a meeting had been called at the instance of Colonel Peck on August 12 at which it was understood that the proposal had been made that the American forces take over the defense of the British defense sectors. Surprise was expressed that such action had been taken despite the protest of the Japanese that the meeting was held on too short notice and the opinion that it should be convened by Rear Admiral Takeda as the Senior Officer.
- 3.
- The Foreign Office inquired whether the oral statement was meant to convey the impression that the American Government had approved of Colonel Peck’s action and was now intervening in the interest of agreement on the basis of the proposal advanced at the meeting of August 12. Crocker replied that the oral statement was in no sense diplomatic intervention but that it meant exactly what it said and was merely an official expression of hope and expectation that a new arrangement of the defense sectors will be worked out in a spirit of cooperation and good will in accordance with the practical considerations by which the American and other contingents must be guided and in conformity with the principles underlying the international character of the Settlement.
- 4.
- The Foreign Office stated that no instructions had yet been sent to their representatives at Shanghai and that the result of the meeting of August 15 would be awaited. It was, however, clearly indicated that the American proposals would not be acceptable to the Japanese, and it was observed that “if a revision of the defense agreement becomes [Page 767] necessary any new agreement will have to be reached in the light of the now existing conditions at Shanghai and in the Far East.”
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Chungking, Peiping, Commander in Chief.
Grew