793.94/4109: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Chairman of the American Delegation to the General Disarmament Conference (Gibson)
11. Your 20, February 10, 9 p.m. For Wilson.
Last week the Japanese Government suggested to the American and several other Ambassadors at Tokyo that negotiations should be held upon Japanese initiative at Shanghai to the end that hostilities should be stopped and a neutral zone be established.
Upon being informed of this, I communicated last Saturday13 with Sir John Simon and we agreed that opportunity should be given for the Japanese to proceed with such negotiations and that we would instruct our representatives in China accordingly. This we did.
However, it is evident that the Japanese authorities have made no serious attempt to negotiate. The fighting in the Chapei area continues, they have sent army forces of unknown numbers, bombarded the fort and village of Woosung, and, by the methods employed in their military operations, they continue to jeopardize the safety of the International Settlement.
Cunningham, at Shanghai, informs me that he and the British Consul General concur in the view that the Japanese have no plans for peace talk at Shanghai and that no progress has been made toward arrangement for cessation of hostilities or establishing a neutral zone.
Reports indicate that the Japanese Admiral demands that the Chinese withdraw to a distance of 20 miles from Shanghai as a condition of withdrawal of Japanese forces to the boundaries of the Settlement and that the Japanese Foreign Office spokesman has stated that the fighting will continue until the Chinese are driven 20 miles from Shanghai.
In view of all this, I have now, February 10, instructed Shanghai that we concur in the belief that the Japanese have no peace parley plans; we have no longer any reason to think that anything is likely to be accomplished by reliance on that idea; we believe that the Japanese suggestion has either been canceled without notice or is merely an attempt on their part to gain time; in our opinion the [Page 291] demand that the Chinese should retire 20 miles is inadmissible so far as any consideration, sanction or participation on our part might be involved; we estimate that the Japanese may be planning a wide turning movement against the Chinese forces in and near Chapei; we visualize the possibility that the Chinese forces may be driven by the Japanese against the Settlement; and we feel that American effort on the spot should be confined to the endeavor to protect the Settlement by all appropriate means. I have so informed Tokyo and London. I have instructed Tokyo to say nothing to the Japanese Foreign Office on the subject. I have instructed London to inform the Foreign Office of the above and to state that I perceive no good ground for further communication with the Japanese at this time on this subject and no reason for any further delay by any government or organization in proceeding with any proposals or plan of action which it may desire to propose or to act upon, this, however, not to affect the suggestion which I made to the British Ambassador on February 9 for consideration in relation to possible future action; and that I requested that the Foreign Office inform Sir John Simon fully at once.
This is for your confidential information. It has been my understanding that Sir John Simon would, in his discretion, make such use of his knowledge of my views and action and the communications between myself and him as he deemed advisable. You will understand that there are situations in which considerations of urgency and practicability make necessary restriction as to the number of people consulted, together with use of the most expeditious channels of communication.
I perceive no warrant or justification for any “shirking” of its responsibilities by the Council or any assumption by it or by any one that the American Government has undertaken or will undertake an exclusive responsibility with regard to action on behalf of the rights and interests and obligations of the powers collectively concerned, in relation either to the Shanghai situation or the general aspects of the Chino-Japanese dispute. This is a world problem. The rights and interests of powers members of the League and of the League itself are involved and must be looked after by them. On these points, you should let my views be known discreetly to responsible members of the Council.
As you will perceive from the instruction which I have sent to Shanghai, it is my view that the situation at this moment is such as to give no warrant for further immediate effort on the part of the American Government in the field of measures of conciliation between the disputants. I shall refrain for the moment at least from such effort. This leaves the field absolutely clear, for those to whom that [Page 292] knowledge is of consequence, to proceed in the light of their own interests and responsibilities.
Since the above was prepared, I have talked with Sir John Simon. I think it would be well for you to inform him at once, orally but in full, of all of the above.
For your confidential information I talked with Sir John Simon not only about the matters referred to above in this cable, but also about possible consideration of action under the Nine Power Pact. This, however, is wholly tentative and subject to further consideration. It should not be mentioned to anyone, and would not in any way conflict or hamper any action which may be under consideration by the League of Nations.
- February 6.↩