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.
64
To
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Cypher telegram to Sir R. Lindsay (washington),
Foreign Office, 15th June, 1939.
10.00 p.m.
No. 270.
79
TIMEDIATE
1. As you are aware, Japanese Government have refused to accept the idea of American mediation in any form in the matter of the accused men in Tientsin. Moreover, it now appears that,
even if the men were handed over, Japanese Government would be unwilling to recall measures taken against British Concession, unless his Majesty's Government were in effect to change their policy by withdrawing support from Ching Hai-shek and co-operat-
ing with Jananese in their attempt to establish "new order".
2. Le quite realise that United states have no considerable
direct interests in Tientsin and it may be that, for that very
reason, Japanese Government have chosen to concentrate on
Tientsin where british interests predominate with the idea of
forcing us along different paths and thereby driving a wedge
between our two Governments.
3. But now that Japanese have raised the ider issues, it seems to us necessary to expose frankly to the United States Government our attitude in face of situation thus created.
4。 As regards limited issue of four men, we should have been
prepared, if shown by examination of Committee of Enquiry,
including American member, to have been wrong on 'the facts, to
have abided by advice given by the Committee. This is still our
position.
As regards wider issues, we have no doubt that United
States