793.94/4904
Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson) of a Conversation With Dr. V. K. Wellington Koo50
Dr. Koo came to see me this morning and asked me whether I had seen Mr. Shigemitsu. I told him that I had but that I had been discouraged by Mr. Shigemitsu’s attitude. I said that I inferred from what Mr. Shigemitsu told me that the meeting would have to be between Mr. Shigemitsu and the head of the 19th Route Army and in Mr. Shigemitsu’s house or his office. I said that I hesitated to communicate any suggestions to him as to how and where they should meet. I merely desired to communicate what I had inferred from my conversation. Dr. Koo listened to what I had to say and intimated that it would be rather difficult to persuade the Chinese to accept such [Page 350] a proposal. They did not feel that they were seeking terms and he did not believe that he could persuade his people to take that attitude. I told Dr. Koo that I was somewhat discouraged but he said that perhaps some way might be found.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in China in his despatch of March 2, 1932; received March 26.↩