Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/5009: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State

Shanghai, April 10, 1932—11 p.m.
[Received April 10—11:25 a.m.]

My April 9, 10 p.m.

1. Quo told me today that Nanking is telegraphing Geneva to ask Yen’s advice. He says delegate General Tai Chi informed him last night after the conference that he would not sign and that Tai’s failure to sign would make Quo’s position impossible. He does not dare sign without a timetable.

2. Quo points out that Nanking is in a delicate position in view of the national emergency conference at Loyang and the agitation in Shanghai. Political elements are endeavoring to capitalize the situation. Quo hopes to have definite instruction from Nanking by tomorrow morning.

3. I told Quo that in view of his predicament as he described it, I saw no other course for him but to notify Lampson and the Japanese in order that we might prepare our reports to our respective Governments as required by the last paragraph of the Assembly resolution of March 4th, and to await results. I have exerted all reasonable pressure to obtain Chinese signature and think it extremely unwise to go farther.

Johnson