793.94/4129c: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Forbes)
50. Our 45, February 6, 8 p.m.20 The Japanese Government last week made the suggestion to the American Ambassador and several other Ambassadors at Tokyo that negotiations for the purpose of stopping hostilities and establishing a neutral zone should be held upon Japanese initiative at Shanghai. Although five days have elapsed since then, however, the fighting continues in the Chapei area, Japan bombards the fort and village of Woosung, sends army forces, and continues to jeopardize the safety of the International Settlement by the methods employed in its military operations.
On the basis of the best information in possession of the Department it appears Admiral Kelley has been informed by Admiral Nomura that if the Chinese will withdraw to a distance of 20 miles from Shanghai, he will withdraw the Japanese forces to Hongkew; and the spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office has made the statement that until the Chinese are driven 20 miles from Shanghai the fighting will continue.
The Consul General at Shanghai has informed me that the Japanese have not approached him, that he sees no indication on their part of intention to proceed with this plan and along with the British Consul General he believes that for peace negotiations the Japanese have no plans.
Accordingly, Shanghai has been instructed as follows:
“The Department agrees with your belief that the Japanese do not have any plans for a peace parley. No longer have we any reason to think that by such a move anything is likely to be accomplished; that is, by relying on the suggestion made by the Japanese last Saturday which we think has either been cancelled without notice or was merely an attempt to gain time on their part. We believe the position that the Chinese should retire 20 miles, reported to have been taken by the Japanese Admiral in conversation with the British Admiral, is entirely inadmissible insofar as it involves any consideration, participation, or sanction on our part. According to such information as is available to the Department, we believe that the Japanese may be laying plans for a wide turning movement against the Chinese forces in the Chapei area. The possibility that the Japanese may drive the Chinese forces against the Settlement is visualized by the Department. American effort on the spot we feel should be confined to attempting by all appropriate means to protect the International Settlement.
London and Tokyo are being informed likewise.”
It is for your information that the above is being sent. No communication is to be made to the Japanese authorities. The British Ambassador and, at your discretion, the French and Italian Ambassadors may be informed orally.