793.94/10566
The Counselor of the Japanese Embassy in China
(Hidaka) to the Counselor of the American Embassy in China
(Peck)
Nanking, August 13, 1937.
Dear Mr. Peck: I have been instructed by my
Ambassador at Shanghai to convey to Their Excellencies the American,
British, French, German and Italian Ambassadors the views as stated in
the separate paper attached hereto as his reply to their Note of the
11th instant.26
I shall be very much indebted to you if you will be so good as to
transmit it to the interested Ambassadors at the earliest
opportunity.
Yours faithfully,
[Enclosure]
The Japanese Ambassador in China (Kawagoe) to the American Ambassador in China
(Johnson),
et al.
It goes without saying that the safety of the lives and property of
the foreigners as well as the Japanese in Shanghai falls under the
solicitous care of the Japanese Government. It follows therefore
that it is the most sincere desire on their part to avert any armed
hostilities being engaged in Shanghai and the districts adjacent to
it.
- 2.
- In order to successfully fulfil the desire expressed above,
however, it is a matter of urgent necessity that, with an
ultimate view to achieving the faithful observance of the
stipulations of the Shanghai Truce Agreement of 193227 by the Chinese
authorities, steps must be taken, as provisory measures, to
withdraw the Chinese regular troops and the equally well
equipped Peace Preservation Corps that are at present
concentrated in the vicinity of the settlements and are
threatening the
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Japanese, at least outside the fighting distance, and also to
demolish all their military constructions erected in the
vicinity of the said area.
- 3.
- The Japanese Naval Landing Party are under the strict order to
act with utmost self-control and perseverance. It can be
definitely stated that they do not entertain the slightest
intention of making any unprovoked attack on the Chinese troops
or the Peace Preservation Corps. Also, the Japanese Government
are fully prepared to withdraw their Naval Landing Party forces
to their original positions provided that the conditions
mentioned in the preceding paragraph are accepted by the Chinese
authorities.
- 4.
- Under these circumstances, the Japanese Government earnestly
request the interested Powers that, with the purpose of
preserving Shanghai immune from the deplorable consequences of a
warfare, they be good enough to exhaust all necessary means at
their disposal in order to bring about the withdrawal of the
Chinese troops and the Peace Preservation Corps at the earliest
moment.
Shanghai, August 12th,
1937.
