793.94/5476: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
247. Reference Department’s 244, August 8, 1 p.m. and your 923, August 9, 6 p.m.
[Page 567]1. It is believed that your discussion should cover such questions as:
- (a)
- Possible proposals for complete neutralization of the city of Peiping including an area with, say, a 10–mile radius from the Walls; this area to be cleared of armed forces other than police, gendarmes and guards; military operations of any sort within this area to be prohibited and no aerial operations or flying of any sort over this area to be permitted.
- (b)
- Possible evacuation of foreign civilian personnel, including all women and children, from this area.
- (c)
- Limitation of freedom of action of the various Legation guard units, so as to prevent provocative acts.
- (d)
- Possible methods and moment for official initiating of proposals.
This list is intended to be suggestive, not exhaustive.
2. The Department doubts practicability of attempting to effect withdrawal or internment of Japanese Legation guard and doubts the advisability of giving that subject much discussion. If the points listed above were satisfactorily taken care of the problem presented in that connection would automatically almost disappear.
The Department does not believe it desirable, for the present at least, to give any consideration to the idea of possible evacuation of the official personnel of the Legations.
3. Referring especially to paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference, the Department, in order that there may be no misunderstanding, informs you that it has no intention at present of making representations to Tokyo or elsewhere, and that it regards all communications hitherto on this subject as being in the nature of discussion between the Legation and the Department of possibilities and ways and means. The Department refers again to the first paragraph of its No. 244, August 8, 1 p.m. The Department notes with satisfaction from your telegram under reference, paragraph 6, that you and your colleagues intend to continue conferring with regard to this whole problem, and the Department will expect to receive in due course your report on conclusions arrived at and recommendations, if any, formulated by you and your colleagues collectively.