793.94/8211: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 1—8:30 p.m.]
374. Wellington Koo and Quo Tai Chi23 arranged a meeting with me. At the risk of repeating information which you already possess and because they expressly requested that you be informed, I repeat their statements.24 They told me that they had asked their Government for information respecting the Japanese demands. The Government furnished this information and authorized them to convey it confidentially to representatives of “friendly governments”. They said they had conveyed the information to Halifax,25 Delbos26 and Litvinov,26a in addition to myself.
The demands were presented approximately September 15, orally by the Japanese Ambassador to the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs at Nanking; the Chinese countered by suggesting that the various incidents in which Japanese nationals were involved should be discussed and liquidated first. This, the Japanese were unwilling to do and pressed for the discussion of the demands. The Chinese then countered by: (1) abolition of the Tangku truce, (2) cancellation of the Eastern Hopei autonomous government, (3) cessation of Japanese smuggling, (4) cancellation of a military agreement which compelled the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the two northern provinces.
They stated that the Japanese Ambassador then suspended negotiations on the grounds that the Minister for Foreign Affairs lacked plenipotentiary powers.
The demands are not in the form of an ultimatum. No date is fixed before a reply must be received but severe pressure is being brought upon the Chinese for quick action, including Arita’s recent threat before the foreign correspondents.
The demands follow: (1) the autonomy of the five northern provinces, (2) an economic cooperation with the whole of China, similar to that now existing in the North, (3) agreement for joint measures for defense against Communism, (4) appointment of Japanese advisers in the Central Government, (5) establishment of air communications between Japan and China, particularly with Shanghai and Foochow, (6) a special or preferential tariff agreement, (7) complete suppression of anti-Japanese propaganda including the revision of [Page 327] school texts and special restrictions upon Koreans naturalized in China, including their expulsion from military schools.
In terminating Koo stated that he learned on “good authority” that the French and British had discussed the matter here and intended to instruct their Ambassadors in Tokyo to make representations. They hope that our Government as well, will take some step to bring about a détente in the Sino-Japanese relations.
- Chinese Ambassadors in France and the United Kingdom, respectively.↩
- The Department replied that this report “is helpful and is appreciated.”↩
- Viscount Halifax, Lord Privy Seal and leader of the British House of Lords.↩
- Yvon Delbos, French Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs.↩