92
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
É
From
JAPAN.
Decypher.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo),
23rd February, 1939.
D.
12.10 p.m.
23rd February, 1939.
R.
5.45 p.m.
22nd February, 1939.
No. 171.
IMMEDIATE
Canton telegram No. 41 to Governor Hongkong.
Although seriousness of incident would warrant apology from Japanese Government through diplomatic channels I venture to express the hope that His Majesty's Government will see their way
to accept the settlement now proposed by Japanese army on
following grounds.
(1) The peculiar relations existing between the Government at
Tokyo and army in China.
(2) Adequacy of reparations offered spontaneously by
Jananese army.
(3) The fact that any undue loss of face by Japanese Government
over this incident would in the peculiar circumstances of today
be conducive to further incidents rather than the reverse.
I anticipate that at tomorrow morning's interview Minister
for Foreign Affairs will propose settlement on these lines.
Addressed to Foreign Office No. 171, repeated to Shanghai
No. 144, Governor Hongkong No. 22 and Canton No. 9.