Office of the Historian

893.102 Tientsin/307: Telegram

The Chargé in Japan (Dooman) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, June 26, 1939—5 p.m.
[Received June 26—6:50 a.m.]

296. Our 295, June 24, 6 p.m.

1.
The British Ambassador has received authorization from his Government to proceed with the round table conference.
2.
The proposal which Craigie presented to the Foreign Minister on June 20 comprised the following.
  • “(1) Measures interfering with the lives [livelihood], personal liberty and food supplies of British subjects in Tientsin to be discontinued and all discrimination against British subjects in measures taken by Japanese authorities for defensive [defence] against terrorist activities to be removed.
  • (2) His Majesty’s Government to be prepared to discuss at once with the Japanese Government questions relating to Tientsin on the basis that: (a) British authority in the Concession is to be maintained intact; and (b) all possible steps consistent with the maintenance of neutrality are to be taken by British authorities to ensure that the Concession is not used for any purposes demonstrably prejudicial to the local military or political interests of the occupying power.
  • (3) Negotiations to be pursued vigorously with a view to a very early settlement. Representative of the British Consulate General and of the Japanese authorities in China to come to Tokyo for the purpose.”
3.
With regard to point 1 above, Arita asked whether it was proposed to exclude currency questions, to which Craigie replied in the negative.
4.
The statement by Arita quoted in our telegram under reference was, it seems to me, strong meat, and the fact that the British Government has nevertheless given its assent to the conference is surprising. I suggest as a possible explanation that the British intend by discussing broad principles to facilitate American intervention and support in eventually refusing Japanese demands.
Dooman