793.94/5124: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 26—6:45 p.m.]
89. Sweetser reports that at a private meeting of the Nineteen this afternoon British representative Londonderry stated that Lampson [Page 725] reported that the Japanese Minister was ready to accept a formula in the armistice agreement reading as follows:
Second paragraph, article 4:
“The Commission will, in accordance with its decision, watch in such manner as it deems best, the carrying out of the provisions of articles 1, 2 and 3 of this agreement and is authorized to call its attention to any neglect in the carrying out of any of the provisions of the three articles mentioned above.”
Lampson proceeded to Nanking and reported to Johnson in Shanghai that the Chinese accept the phraseology with the addition, after “attention” of the words “in accordance with its decisions taken in such manner as provided in the said annex”.
At the same time the whole of article 11 in the draft resolution of the Committee of Nineteen would be eliminated and would be replaced by an identic paragraph to the one referred to above, this at the instance of the Chinese Government.
Shigemitsu is endeavoring to obtain the consent of his Government and is expected to report tomorrow.
Because of this information the Committee of Nineteen decided to take no immediate action waiting further reports.