The Tientsin Incident

In the north of China, the city of Tientsin (Tianjin) is home to foreign concessions, including a British one, islets of sovereignty inherited from the 19th century. Japan, master of the region since its invasion of China, ill tolerates this enclave that serves as a refuge for Chinese hostile to its occupation and to the money of the Nationalist government.

After the assassination of a collaborationist Chinese official, the Japanese demand the surrender of four suspects sheltering in the concession. London refuses, for want of evidence. On 14 June 1939, the Japanese army retaliates by sealing off the British concession with barbed wire and subjecting to humiliating searches the British who leave it.

The British government is at an impasse. Its fleet is required in Europe and the Mediterranean against Germany and Italy: it cannot send to the Far East the squadron that alone would lend weight to a firm stand. Should it hold fast in the name of imperial prestige, at the risk of a confrontation with Japan without military means? Yield to the Japanese demands to avoid a crisis at the worst moment? Or negotiate a compromise that saves appearances?