Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/4982: Telegram

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

Shanghai, April 7, 1932—1 p.m.
[Received April 7—4:26 a.m.]

1. Negotiations began at 10 a.m. today when Japanese brought up question of position of Chinese troops south of Soochow Creek and east of Whangpoo. Japanese ask whether Chinese position is that troops there are not covered by article 1 of draft B or whether they consider them not to have been involved in hostilities. If first is the case they cannot accept Chinese point of view, if second then they are willing to consider the question. Chinese contend in reply that soldiers in these places were not involved in hostilities and therefore do not come within the scope of these discussions. After long discussion during which it was increasingly evident that the Japanese are depending upon this point to obtain demilitarization of area around Shanghai, it was agreed to refer matter to military subcommittee to find some way of meeting Japanese fears as to their rear.

2. Meeting adjourned until 3 p.m. today to consider annex 2.

Johnson