793.94/4473: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
Geneva, February 28,
1932—midnight.
[Received February 28—10:40
p.m.]
42. Confirming telephone conversation this evening,19
text follows herewith of the draft proposal to be read by the President
of the Council and handed to the Japanese and Chinese representatives at
the meeting of the Council presumably Monday:
- “1. The imminence of hostilities on the largest scale in
the Shanghai region between Chinese and Japanese forces with
the inevitable consequence of heavy loss of life and further
embitterment of feeling makes it at this critical moment the
duty of all of us to lose no opportunity of seeking means by
which this deplorable armed conflict between two members of
the League may be suspended and a way to peace may be found
and followed.
- 2. The President has therefore called together his
colleagues on the Council for the purpose of laying before
them a proposal which might serve to this end. For its
effective execution, this proposal will require not only the
acceptance of the Governments of China and Japan, but later
cooperation on the spot of the other principal powers who
have special interests in the Shanghai Settlements and whose
representatives are therefore readily available to make the
local contribution of their friendly aid which is no less
necessary than the positive and sincere agreement of the
Chinese and Japanese authorities to the plan
proposed.
- 3. This plan is as follows:
- (1)
- An immediate cessation of hostilities consolidated
by arrangements to be made between Japanese and
Chinese commanders in consultation with the
military, naval and civilian authorities of the
other principal powers represented in Shanghai who
would render all possible assistance.
- (2)
- A conference to be immediately set up in Shanghai
composed of representatives of the Governments of
China and Japan together with representatives of the
other powers above referred to for the purpose of
bringing about a final conclusion of fighting and
the restoration of peaceful conditions in the
Shanghai area.
- (3)
- The conference would be undertaken on the basis
- (a)
- That Japan has no political or territorial
designs in this region and no intention of
establishing a Japanese settlement in Shanghai or
of otherwise advancing the exclusive interest of
the Japanese, and
- (b)
- That China enter the conference on the basis
that the safety and integrity of the International
and French Settlements must be preserved under
arrangements which will secure these areas and
their residents from further danger.
- (4)
- To this proposal, which is aimed at the immediate
reestablishment of peace in the Shanghai area,
without prejudice to or qualification of any
position previously taken by the League of Nations
or any power in relation to the Sino-Japanese
affairs, the President desires in the name of
himself and his colleagues to invite the adherence
and cooperation both of China and Japan and of the
other powers referred to, whose local position
enables them to make a special contribution to the
common purpose of stopping armed conflict and
restoring peace.”
