J.
:
20
[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.)
146
From: CHINA.
De cypher.
Mr. Jamieson
(Tientsin)
31st May 1939.
D. W/T
51st May 1939.
No. 193.
R. 8.00 p.m. 31st May 1939.
000000000000000
IMPORTANT.
Shanghai telegram No.391 to you.
A.
I would live to make the following general observations.
Resistance to Japanese demands on unsound or doubtful grounds should I submit, be avoided as such resistance reduces chance of success when broached on firm ground.
B. In the case of the four men we are definitely on unsound ground: not only are the men members of terrorist gang but they have also confessed to complicity in a murder in our concession
We and also to complicity in a murder of a Japanese soldier. are not in a position to allege that these confessions were obtained by torture as the men showed no signs of torture on return to British municipal council. If Janapese demands are nrt met the Japanese will be able to publish to the world good reasons for any retaliatory action taken.
C. Feeling of local Japanese community has been raised to fever pitch and retuliatory action may quite likely include mob action. General Piggott (see my telegram No.165) expressed opinion that there was grave danger igrp. undec.] clashes
[? grp. omtd.] told me the chance of such clashes are now greatly
increased.
D. While world politics are somewhat out of my province, there is no doubt in my mind that unwillingness to allow these four men to be handed over has created most unfortunate impression. Japanese authorities are firmly convinced that action or lack of action taken by us is clear proof that our policy is to assist the Chinese against the Japanese.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 193 of May 31st, repeated to Shanghai No. 263, Tokyo No.113 (Shanghai repeat to Tokyo).
MY TRACE