793.94/4653: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 9—12:50 p.m.]
My March 7, 8 p.m., second paragraph.
- 1.
- Matsuoka saw Lampson yesterday and conversation followed lines taken with me. He stated Japanese would welcome third power [Page 544] mediation being anxious to extricate themselves from the present situation. Lampson told him that he would have nothing further to do with verbal statements and asked Matsuoka to put Japanese proposals into writing and bring them to him with the result that last night Shigemitsu brought to Lampson a slip of paper on which he had written the following:
- 2.
“The Japanese authorities both civil and military at Shanghai are prepared to enter upon negotiations with the Chinese authorities in accordance with the terms of the resolution of the Assembly of League of Nations of March 4th. As there is reason to entertain some anxiety concerning the situation at the front it is deemed a matter of urgent necessity to reach, at an earliest possible date, a definite agreement for the complete cessation of hostilities.
Japanese authorities have all the way presumed that the Japanese attitude on the matter has been understood by the Chinese authorities. However, failing to hear anything from the Chinese Government since the aforesaid resolution was passed by the Assembly of League of Nations they wish to make clear beyond a doubt their readiness to negotiate along the lines laid down in the resolution.”
- 3.
- Lampson read document over and pointed out to Shigemitsu that it contained no reference to withdrawal of Japanese troops. He kept document for study, however, and noticing that opening paragraph resembled textually paragraph No. 3 of the League resolution of March 4th, he made a marginal note for insertion after word “hostilities” at the end of first paragraph as follows: “and to arrange for the withdrawal of the Japanese forces”. Document so amended was returned to Shigemitsu last evening who promised to give matter consideration. Today he returned it to Lampson with the amendment reading “and then to discuss and determine arrangements for the withdrawal of the Japanese forces”. Although the British Minister observed that the word “then” would probably be unacceptable to the Chinese Government the Japanese Minister replied that a discussion of Japanese withdrawal could only follow agreement regarding cessation of hostilities. Lampson is seeing Quo Tai-chi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, tonight and will show him Japanese draft and endeavor to obtain Chinese counter document.
- 5. [4.?]
- Quo Tai-chi intimated to me last evening that it was his personal belief that Chinese might be willing to consider a discussion of Shanghai situation at a conference which would include in its agenda the question of Manchuria.