Office of the Historian

793.94/4267: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, February 17, 1932—midnight.
[Received February 17—6:55 p.m.]

My telegram February 13, 8 p.m. Through the good offices of British Minister it has been agreed between Koo, representing the Chinese, and the Japanese Minister that there shall be a meeting between the Chinese and Japanese military tomorrow February 18, 9 a.m., at the Sino-Japanese Friendship Association in the French Concession. Japanese will be represented by Chief of Staff General Tashiro accompanied by one staff officer and one interpreter. Chinese will be represented by Major General Fan Chi-wu, Chief of Staff of 19th Army, accompanied by one secretary and one interpreter.

2.
At this meeting Japanese will explain terms under which they will agree not to push hostilities further, namely:
(a)
19th Army will withdraw to a line 20 kilometres from the Japanese sector of Settlement on north bank of Soochow Creek and to same line on right bank of Whangpoo River.
(b)
Chinese withdrawal to be checked by Japanese Military Commission with guards. Third parties may accompany it.
(c)
Japanese forces to be withdrawn to original position within the Settlement.
(d)
Chinese may raise question of checking Japanese withdrawal and although Japanese may oppose this, it is understood they may yield.
(e)
Chinese to withdraw plain-clothes men.
(f)
Question of protection of aliens within the evacuated area may be discussed.
3.
On the civil side Consul General Murai will notify Mayor of terms, asking that Chinese forces evacuate area specified (not specially mentioning 19th Army). Consul General will also ask the Mayor to reaffirm 10 points accepted by Mayor January 28th in reference to anti-Japanese activities, etc.
4.
Question of permanence of withdrawal not to be discussed.
5.
Lampson and I hope that at the meeting Chinese and Japanese will arrange for cessation of hostilities. Japanese go armed with authorization to present an ultimatum but will not use it until evident that the meeting has failed of its purpose.

Scene and personnel of meeting to be treated as confidential.

Johnson