793.94/5045a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Edge)
Washington, April 13, 1932—4
p.m.
145. For Secretary Stimson’s information.61a—Shanghai negotiations.
[Here follows summary of information contained in recent telegrams from Minister Johnson at Shanghai.]
It would seem that Johnson and Lampson have patiently and resourcefully pressed for an agreement, making many suggestions but without success.
- 3.
- In the opinion of the Far Eastern Division, the situation is this: (a) the Japanese, having engaged in military operations at Shanghai with certain objectives, refuse to agree to withdraw their troops unless and until they are satisfied that their objectives have been to a sufficient extent attained; (b) the Chinese, confronted with the presence of an invading military force which is there for the purpose of bringing pressure to bear upon them, decline to enter into an agreement which in effect would commit them to an assent to the presence of that force, unless, as a part of the agreement, they can obtain in return a pledge which would preclude the continuance for an indefinite period of the presence and pressure of the invading armed force. The two positions are scarcely reconcilable; to achieve an agreement one side or the other would have to yield; there is little if any room for compromise; the likelihood is that the situation will remain in statu quo indefinitely unless (a) one or the other of the disputants makes new military moves or (b) outside pressure contributes to its liquidation.
- 4.
- For Johnson’s guidance, the Department on April 11 telegraphed as follows: “The Department appreciates the difficulties which confront you in the negotiations; approves the attitude which you have taken; hopes that it may still be found possible to persuade the Chinese and Japanese to reach an accord; and awaits your further reports on the matter”.
Castle
- Secretary Stimson was en route to the Disarmament Conference at Geneva.↩