793.94/4152
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Castle)
The Japanese Ambassador called to say that he had news that the first Japanese land forces had landed at Woosung at six last night, consisting of 3,000 of a mixed brigade. They found the bridge across the Woosung Creek destroyed and did not attempt to cross it to take the Woosung forts. Instead they proceeded directly to Chapei. He said the distance was only about 15 miles and that there was a good road so they probably have already reached there. He said that they were part of the Twelfth Division coming from Kokura. The Ambassador said that the further troops which were to be sent, making apparently something like a division, were coming from Kanazawa, which is near Tsuruga.
The Ambassador asked me whether we had heard anything about what seemed to him a foolish story of the attempt to establish neutral [Page 189] zones around certain Chinese cities. I told him that we had merely heard the story and that the Secretary had told the press that he did not think there could be anything in it, since Japan had so distinctly stated on December [November?] 9th that they stood with England and this country in defending the territorial and administrative integrity of China.19 Mr. Debuchi said that he believed the story must be completely false, but admitted that he was becoming very careful as to the statements he made. He said he hoped the situation was becoming quieter in Shanghai as he understood the Japanese Government had proposed the establishment of neutral zones. I said this was so and that, in addition, they had proposed the immediate cessation of hostilities. He said that, under these circumstances, he supposed nothing more would be done by the powers at the moment. I told him this was true as to Shanghai for the time being, on condition, of course, that the fighting stopped and that Japan did not send another division, for example, to take Nanking. He asked me whether there was any possible fear in the United States that Japan would do such a thing. I told him that Japanese actions had been so unpredictable and un-understandable all along that we naturally were afraid of everything. He said he could not see how any move on Nanking would be possible, but again reiterated that he would not be foolish enough to make any definite statements without instructions. I told him that so long as there were Japanese warships stationed at Nanking it could only look like a threat and that a threatening attitude was likely to cause trouble at any moment.