793.94/4949: Telegram

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

In meetings of military subcommittee which Drysdale has been attending on my behalf Japanese are now insisting that Chinese indicate position of their troops east of Whangpoo River. Yesterday afternoon Lampson and I took this question up with Shigemitsu and pointed out that we were somewhat surprised at this demand as we had all along considered that Chinese positions in question were those north and west of Soochow Creek and immediately facing Japanese lines. Chinese lines south of Soochow Creek are in front of British and French troops who are not interested in their positions and there has been no attack by Chinese from south of the Whangpoo. We hope Shigemitsu is going to be able to persuade his military to drop this request.

Johnson