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

893.102S/1221: Telegram

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

Washington, September 8, 1932—6 p.m.

306. Your 623, June 6, 7 p.m.; 690, June 22, 5 p.m.⁴⁷ Department’s 175, June 27, 1 p.m.;⁴⁸ and Legation’s despatch No. 1608, July 5.⁴⁹

1. The Department has made a study of the defense plan at Shanghai, has given consideration to the questions involved and is, in general, in accord with your views.

2. With regard to whether we should continue to participate and cooperate with the other powers under the terms of this agreement, the Department realizes that there are hazards involved in either continuance or withdrawal. Continuance, in case the plan should be invoked in the event of a renewal of the conflict at Shanghai between Chinese and Japanese, would probably result in objectionable developments the same as or similar to those which occurred last January and February. If, on the other hand, we withdraw from the agreement and another conflict should occur, there would be no agreed upon plan to rely on, and the Japanese might seize the opportunity to extend their operations in other parts of the International Settlement. In view of the uncertainty of the situation at Shanghai, the Department feels that we should not withdraw from the plan to cooperate under the terms of the agreement, thus again and at this time opening up the whole question of a defense plan; but at the same time the Department believes that, toward preventing a repetition of a situation such as developed on and after January 28 last, we should regard the agreement to cooperate under the provisions of this plan as tentative only, as applying exclusively to the disposal and operation of armed forces, and as invocable only after express confirmation at the time when a new situation or emergency arises or is imminent. This would mean that, in each case as it arises, a binding agreement to (a) cooperate in the use of armed forces and (b) to do so according to this plan or an amended form thereof would be made or be refused at the time and in the light of the situation then existing or imminent. This procedure would operate to enable us and others to avoid being drawn into action under circumstances or for purposes other than those contemplated in the terms of the plan itself. This course of action appears to be in conformity with the note found on the title page of the defense plan reading as follows: “This agreement is valid only so long as the conditions existing at the time it was arrived at remain unaltered”.

3. Toward putting this course of action into effect, Department believes that the officer in command of the American Marines at Shanghai should so inform the other cosignatories, or their successors, of the agreement. The Department has consulted with the Navy Department in regard to the issues involved and understands that the Navy Department is instructing the Commander-in-Chief in this sense, with specific instruction that the officer in command of the American Marines at Shanghai confer with the Consul General in advance of and in relation to giving this notification.

4. Unless new developments lead you to believe that the course of action outlined in paragraph 2 above should not be followed (in which case please immediately inform the Department) you and the Consul General at Shanghai should be guided accordingly. Otherwise, it is believed that this instruction calls for no action or initiative by you or the Consul General other than your communication of the above to the Consul General.

5. You should relay this to Shanghai at once in order that the Consul General may be in position to discuss the whole subject with the commanding officer when that officer calls to confer with him.

Stimson

47. Latter not printed.
48. Telegram No. 175 not printed; it requested a copy of the Shanghai defense plan.
49. Not printed; it transmitted a copy of the defense plan.