793.94/3580: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—6:47 a.m.]
97. Legation’s 96, January 20, 11 a.m. In conversation with Koo yesterday the latter asked me what chance there was of a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty. I told him that I did not think there was any probability of the calling of such conference in the near future. He asked me if I did not think it wise for the Chinese to offer direct negotiations to the Japanese. I said I thought this was the thing that they should do. He asked me if I did not think it would put China in a more advantageous position, should such a conference be called, if the record showed that she had been willing to negotiate directly with the Japanese. I replied that I certainly thought the [Page 39] Chinese position in any case would be improved. He stated that it was his opinion that China should offer direct negotiations, saying that if the Japanese should prove unreasonable in their demands China would still be in a position to appeal to such a conference. Koo seemed pessimistic about the situation at Nanking and expressed himself as believing that those now in power were without any positive policy in this matter. He left for Nanking yesterday afternoon … I believe with the idea that he is going to Hangchow to discuss the future with Chiang.