793.94/4933: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31—3:37 a.m.]
My March 29, 5 p.m.
1. Chinese-Japanese negotiators met at 10 a.m. and commenced discussion of article 2 of draft B, March 27th, which was finally accepted in the general form.
“The Chinese troops will remain in their present positions pending later arrangements upon the reestablishment of normal conditions in the areas dealt with by this agreement. The aforesaid positions are indicated in annex 1 to this agreement.”
While the Chinese delegate recorded with the conference the following official declaration:
“It is understood that nothing in this agreement implies any permanent restrictions on the movements of Chinese troops in Chinese territory”.
2. Next meeting takes place Saturday, April 2nd.
3. Negotiations threatened to break on the question of date of Japanese withdrawal. It was finally agreed privately between Sir Miles and myself, Shigemitsu and Quo, to meet informally outside of the conference, Ciano and Lagarde participating, to explore possibilities of a formula.