793.94/4277: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 18—1:45 p.m.]
My February 17, midnight. Conference this morning lasted 2 hours and appears to have ended in complete breakdown. According to Chinese sources the Japanese demanded among other things the withdrawal of Chinese forces 20 kilometres without promising any withdrawal of Japanese troops. Japanese are also said to have demanded permanent dismantling of Woosung forts. They are reported to be preparing to present written demands at 9 p.m. tonight which it is believed will be in the nature of an ultimatum. Chinese consider the Japanese proposals of this morning totally unacceptable and do not believe that they were submitted by the Japanese in good faith with any expectancy that they would be accepted.