793.94/4669: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 10—9:50 a.m.]
My March 9, 7 p.m. British Minister received today Chinese reply to the Japanese document and is transmitting it to the Japanese Minister. It reads as follows:
“The Chinese Government having accepted the resolution of the Assembly of the League of Nations of March 4th is prepared to enter into negotiations with the Japanese authorities in accordance with the terms of the said resolution and on the understanding as stated by its chief delegate Dr. W. W. Yen that (1) such negotiations are limited to matters pertaining only to the definite cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Japanese forces and (2) no condition is to be attached to such withdrawal.
[Page 549]The Chinese Government has already announced through its chief delegate at Geneva its readiness to enter into negotiations for the purposes and on the understandings as above mentioned and has presumed that the Japanese authorities have been fully aware of this fact.
The receipt through Sir Miles Lampson at 5:30 p.m., March 9th, of the communication from the Japanese authorities makes it clear that they are equally ready to enter into the proposed negotiations. The Chinese Government considers therefore the way open for commencing such negotiations.”